Michael Carrick was set to take charge of Manchester United until the end of the season earlier this week and already has a say in the Red Devils’ transfer business.
Harry Maguire’s contract expires in June (Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Manchester United’s new manager Michael Carrick is reportedly trying to prevent Harry Maguire from leaving Old Trafford. Maguire, 32, has six months left on his contract and means United will forfeit their £80m free signing.
The same situation existed last year before the Red Devils triggered a one-year extension clause in Maguire’s contract, and it cannot be repeated. As it stands, the January transfer window is United’s only chance to recoup their fee for the centre-back, with Nottingham Forest’s Murillo claimed to be on the shortlist to replace him.
However, The Sun reports that Carrick has closed the door on Maguire leaving in January. It was added despite inquiries from both AC Milan and Inter Milan, as well as several Premier League clubs.
Old Trafford bosses are set to reject all approaches for the 64-time England international this month, with him expected to remain part of Carrick’s squad until the end of the season. This is Carrick’s first transfer decision since he took over as manager on Tuesday.
Like Maguire, Carrick’s contract only runs until the end of the season. They will be hoping to work together to get United into the Champions League and persuade the club to keep both players, just as they did when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in charge.
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Maguire has been sidelined for two months with injury and has only played 11 minutes since the 2-2 draw with Tottenham in November. The 32-year-old will be desperate to break into England’s squad for the World Cup after performing well in the second half of the season.
Thomas Tuchel, who is rumored to be taking over as United’s manager, has yet to call up Maguire since taking over as England manager. His last cap for the Three Lions came in September 2024 under manager Lee Carsley.
Maguire is well aware that he could be forced to part ways with United in June. After scoring the winning goal in the Red Devils’ 2-1 win over Liverpool in October, the defender admitted: “It’s my last year so this could be the last time I play at Anfield for this club. It’s really important to be here and score that one goal.”
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Harry Maguire and Michael Carrick have previously worked together (Image: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
In August, Maguire spoke about his future: “Obviously this year I’m up at the end of the year. I’m sure the club realized this summer that I can’t leave on any terms because other clubs are making inquiries about me and my contractual position.”
“They will have discussions over the next few months and they will have to talk about where they want to go and whether they want to extend. Otherwise, of course, the transfer window will open up again in January. “Obviously there is something in my head about what I want to do and what I want to be.
“I don’t want to tell everyone too much, but it’s a great club to play for and it would be foolish to want to jump out of there as soon as possible.”
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