The summer transfer window is up and running at Manchester United, with INEOS continuing to make their presence felt at the club.
With two new acquisitions signed, sealed, and delivered in the form of Dutch international forward Joshua Zirkzee and French sensation Leny Yoro, a sense of familiarity is returning to Old Trafford.
While several players have departed for pastures new, one man likely to be sticking around for a while longer is Harry Maguire.
His future has been the subject of much debate since Erik ten Hag took over as manager two years ago.
However, following a period of uncertainty, the English defender has gained just enough trust from the Dutchman as a reliable back-up.
The former Leicester City man arrived in the North West five years ago for a hefty £80 million fee – and was made club captain during his first season by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Hard times
After a solid two-year stint, form dipped significantly during the 2021-22 campaign, with rash decisions leading to costly errors.
Ridicule and mockery followed the former Hull City man – particularly online – with every mistake seemingly amplified on social media.
Things got so bad for the Sheffield native that a move away from Manchester seemed inevitable.
Having lost the captaincy to Bruno Fernandes in 2023, he endured the trauma of demotion to the bench – at one stage seen as 5th choice centre-back in Ten Hag’s first year in charge.
Fighting back
The former skipper looked nailed on to join West Ham in August 2023 after the Hammers agreed a £30 million deal to bring him to the London Stadium.
However, a move did not materialize – with reports stating Maguire could not settle on a suitable pay-off package.
Despite enduring off-the-field woe, he knuckled down to regain a squad role, with Ten Hag often calling on him during a horrendous injury crisis last season.
“I was willing to stay and fight for my place,” he said in November after a run of eight straight starting births.
“I was playing well for my country, went to the World Cup and played well and always thought my form was there.
“But I am up against some top, top-level centre-backs and last year they were playing amazing, so I didn’t get as many opportunities as I would have liked.
“This club demands competition for places, and that is what we have in my position.”
Future
Having missed Euro 2024 due to a muscle injury sustained at the back end of last term, Maguire is enjoying pre-season training – with the possibility of a return for tomorrow’s trip to Scotland.
The expectation is he will remain at the club and form part of a new-look defensive contingent.
Sources claim United could still add another central defender to their cast, having recently sold Willy Kambwala to Villarreal.
Bayern Munich man Matthijs de Ligt remains a priority, with the prospect of another swoop for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite still plausible.
Victor Lindelof would be the likely option to depart if the 20-time English champions require funds for potential incomings in the defensive department.
What do you think Harry Maguire will decide to do next?
Let us know in the comments or across our social channels.
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