Manchester United’s Harry Maguire is “almost certainly” going to leave Old Trafford, talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook has told GIVEMESPORT.
Maguire – who nets a reported £190,000 a week – has been subject to speculation in the January window, but Crook insists any deal for the England international is more likely to happen in the summer.Manchester United transfer news – Harry Maguire
No defender has ever cost more money than the £80 million United paid for Maguire in the 2019 summer transfer window. Yet, less than four years later, Maguire’s time at Old Trafford has largely been considered a resounding failure.
Despite earning plaudits for his performances in an England shirt – ex-Red Devils centre-back Rio Ferdinand dubbed Maguire “England’s best player” at the recent World Cup – the Sheffield-born defender has been unable to carry over his international form to club level. Instead, since the arrival of new boss Erik ten Hag, Maguire has found himself on the periphery of the side, making just four Premier League starts this season.
Reports from the summer suggested he was at risk of losing the United captaincy ahead of ten Hag’s arrival, with the Dutch boss eventually deciding to keep faith in Maguire. Despite this, game time has still been limited for Maguire this season, leading to some suggestions his Old Trafford departure could be just around the corner.What has Crook said about Maguire leaving United?
As speculation grows around Maguire’s future, talkSPORT journalist Crook outlined United’s plan for offloading Maguire, with a summer exit looking most likely.
“Maguire is obviously not playing as many matches as he would want to,” Crook told GMS.
“But he is still being called upon at the end of matches when they’re tight, to come on and help get them over the line.
“So it’s not an ideal situation when you’re the captain and limited to a bit-part role. “
“I think he’ll almost certainly leave in the summer, but I’d be surprised if he went this window.”Where might Maguire end up next summer?
There had been claims from talkSPORT’s Anil Kandola (via Daily Star) that Aston Villa were eyeing up a January swoop for Maguire – suggestions which have since been rubbished by a Daily Mail report.
The indication seems to be Maguire’s United career is coming to a close, but any move will be forced to wait until the summer. But the question for Maguire is where would he end up, should a move at the end of the campaign materialise?
Having notched up over 150 appearances for United, Maguire boasts a wealth of Premier League experience, with Danny Murphy telling talkSPORT (via TeamTalk), Newcastle United would be a sensible move for the defender. With “good leadership qualities”, Murphy believes Maguire, who he labelled as not being a “big-time Charlie”, would thrive under Eddie Howe at St James’ Park.
Source: givemesport.com
