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Manchester United have decided that English defender Harry Maguire will leave Old Trafford in the summer.
Chris Wheeler of the Daily Mail reports that United fear the fact that they will have to take a financial hit of up to £40m to facilitate Maguire’s exit.
United will be open to offers for Maguire. In January, several English clubs, including West Ham and Aston Villa, expressed interest in Maguire’s services.
Wheeler adds that there is a “growing acceptance” within Maguire’s camp that he will have to move at the end of the season and that it is necessary to part ways.
United paid £80 million for the player, a world record fee for a defender that still stands to this day.
The former Leicester man endured a nightmare campaign last season. He received a lot of criticism from fans and the media alike as United slumped to their worst Premier League result in terms of point tally.
Erik ten Hag has shown a clear preference for a central pairing of Lisandro Martínez and Raphael Varane.
Even Luke Shaw, naturally a right-back, has been preferred in the centre-back position ahead of the underdog Maguire.
As United claimed a 2-0 win against Leeds United yesterday at Elland Road, Maguire started and lined up alongside Shaw.
He was relatively stable, but had some shaky moments that could have cost the team dearly if he had been punished.
Speaking after the match, the United captain was questioned about his limited playing time. He said: “It’s not about me, it’s about the club being successful and I want to be a part of it.”
“I am the captain and I put the team miles before me. Whether he plays or not, I want the team to do well.”
“I’m still getting my minutes. Everyone wants to start games, and it’s disappointing when you don’t. You have four international centre-backs at this club and there will always be two who are unhappy. I just have to be ready for when the opportunity comes.”
