According to a report from Sky Sport, West Ham United and Manchester United have reached a preliminary agreement for the transfer of Harry Maguire. Although West Ham’s earlier £20 million bid for Maguire was turned down by the Red Devils earlier, there is now a sense of cautious optimism surrounding the potential completion of this signing. While personal terms are anticipated to fall into place smoothly, certain intricacies regarding his departure still require attention and resolution.
Maguire’s Challenging Season At Old Trafford
Maguire’s campaign at Man United last season was challenging as he looked 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 after averaging 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, as per statistics from Whoscored.
Will His Exit Significantly Impact Manchester United?
Maguire displays praiseworthy tackling abilities and executes proficient interceptions when granted consistent playing time and a sense of confidence on the field. His stature of 1.94m provides an advantage, particularly in securing aerial duels and executing confident clearances during defensive scenarios. Nonetheless, the English defender encounters occasional challenges with his pace, which can impede his capacity to swiftly recover in his own defensive half.
In contrast, Maguire has been a part of a defense that has conceded a notable number of goals during his tenure at Old Trafford, and his style of play doesn’t align harmoniously with Erik ten Hag’s tactical approach. Consequently, the former Ajax manager is keen to facilitate his departure during this summer’s transfer window. Therefore, ten Hag’s achievement in reaching a consensus with the Hammers is commendable. Assuming all proceeds as anticipated, there should be no hindrances in finalizing the deal.
