According to a Manchester Evening News report, Harry Maguire may leave Old Trafford, with the centre-back being a subject of interest from West Ham. While he could still be considered for a role in Ten Hag’s squad, Manchester United rejected the Hammers’ £20 million bid. United must carefully consider whether to cash in on the England international or assess the value he could bring to the squad if he stays at Old Trafford.
Maguire’s Challenging Season At Old Trafford
Maguire’s time at Man United was marked by a challenging season as he grappled to secure a regular spot in Erik ten Hag’s starting lineup. Throughout the previous campaign, the England international featured in 31 matches for the club across various competitions.
Despite the difficulties, 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. Moreover, his distribution from the back was carefully managed, achieving an impressive 85.4% success rate on attempted passes in the English top flight, as per statistics from Whoscored.
Will Maguire Remain At Manchester United Next Season?
Maguire demonstrates commendable tackling skills and executes solid interceptions when given regular playtime and confidence on the field. His 1.94m frame is an advantage, as he excels in winning aerial duels and confidently clears the ball during defensive situations. However, the English defender occasionally encounters challenges with his pace, which can hinder his ability to make recovery runs within his own half.
However, Maguire has been part of a defence that has conceded a significant number of goals during his time at Old Trafford, and his style of play does not align with Erik ten Hag‘s system. As a result, the former Ajax manager is eager to facilitate his departure during this summer transfer window.
Despite this, Manchester United are determined to recoup some of the £80 million they invested in Maguire. Hence, accepting anything less than a convincing offer would not be favourable for the club. If he stays at Old Trafford for the following season, Maguire could provide cover for the defensive positions. However, this would come at the unfavourable cost of reduced playtime for the England international.
