Harry Maguire will be a free agent in the summer and can now negotiate with other clubs, but Manchester United should show their love and appreciation by offering him a new contract.
Harry Maguire wants to stay at Manchester United (Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United bosses are said to be divided over what to do with Harry Maguire’s immediate future.
Maguire will become a free agent in June but has not been offered a contract extension to remain at Old Trafford. He has been allowed to start negotiations with other clubs, and representatives of ‘Triple S Management’ are in dialogue with some clubs across Europe.
Maguire is currently 32 years old. Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reluctant to hand Maguire a new contract, believing he can form a long-term centre-back partnership with the likes of Lenny Yolo and Aiden Haven.
United, on the other hand, still have experience to rely on in Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt. However, Maguire still enjoys a lot of backing and support from United bosses. The England international has shown in recent games that he remains one of the best defenders in the Premier League.
Having been at United since 2019, his knowledge and experience has made him a defensive coach for the likes of Yoro and Haven. Interim manager Michael Carrick has not been consulted regarding Maguire’s contract status.
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However, Carrick let it be known that Maguire is still valued and remains an integral part of the team’s future. Maguire is understood to be reluctant to move abroad and uproot his young family.
He knows that staying at Old Trafford gives him the best chance of winning more England caps in the future.
He is willing to accept a £200,000-a-week pay cut in exchange for a contract extension. Ratcliffe lacks any real experience in running a football club. Especially not on the scale of United.
Michael Carrick reveals how much he rates Maguire at Manchester United
But what he needs to understand about the bigger picture surrounding Maguire is that United lack leadership.
And the problem will become even more exposed this summer with Brazilian midfielder Casemiro leaving United. Captain Bruno Fernandes could very well do the same.
United are undergoing a rebuild, but defense is not one of their priorities. And if Maguire can still be a giant in big games, as he did in recent wins over Manchester City and Arsenal, it would make sense to send him off.
Maguire has gone through some difficult times during his United career. He has been snubbed at times by some managers, with Erik ten Hag stripping him of the captaincy.
He was also someone who entertained his supporters. But he showed the resilience and character to come back into the fight. To prove those who doubted him wrong.
And United should now show him some real gratitude.
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