The Mirror has reported that West Ham’s loan offer to secure Harry Maguire for the season has been turned down by Manchester United. Following Erik ten Hag’s decision to remove Maguire from the club captaincy last week, United are open to parting ways with the English star.
Maguire Endures Challenging Season At Old Trafford
During his time at Man United, Maguire faced a tough season as he struggled to secure a regular spot in Erik ten Hag’s starting lineup. Throughout the previous campaign, the England international participated in 31 matches for the Manchester-based club across various competitions.
Despite the challenges, the 30-year-old showcased his value as a reliable defensive presence, recording an average of 0.5 tackles, 0.8 interceptions, and 2.6 clearances per game in Premier League football. Additionally, his distribution from the back was carefully managed, achieving an impressive 85.4% success rate on attempted passes in the English top flight (statistics via whoscored).
Should United Sanction His Exit And The Reconsider The
Loan Offer?
Maguire exhibits commendable tackling skills and can execute solid interceptions when he enjoys regular playtime and confidence on the field. Utilizing his 1.94m frame, he excels in winning aerial duels and confidently clears the ball when the opposition is on the offensive. Nevertheless, the English defender occasionally faces challenges with his pace, hindering his ability to make recovery runs within his own half.
However, Maguire’s season has been marked by difficulties, facing criticism for his performances and even being dropped from the England national team. These factors raise questions about whether he is the right fit for Manchester United.
Nonetheless, Maguire remains a valuable asset with his wealth of experience as an international defender and his deep understanding of the Premier League. His abilities could prove beneficial for West Ham as they seek to bolster their defence.
From a financial standpoint, a loan deal could benefit the Red Devils, enabling them to recoup a portion of the £80 million invested in Maguire and reduce their wage expenditure. However, such an arrangement would necessitate paying a loan fee to West Ham, and it would preclude them from selling Maguire if he excels during his time with the Hammers.
Ultimately, it is up to Erik ten Hag to determine whether Maguire’s departure is allowed or denied. So far, he has made a wise choice by rejecting any imminent deals, opting instead to wait for a suitable transfer offer from potential suitors. This approach would likely yield greater benefits compared to a loan move.
