Harry Maguire told to quit Man Utd “for his own sake” despite Erik ten Hag’s lifeline

Harry Maguire[1] has been urged to “think of himself” and leave Manchester United[2] for the sake of his career.

The England centre-back - still the most expensive defender in world football - appears unlikely to have a future at Old Trafford. He has fallen down the pecking order since Erik ten Hag’s arrival last summer.

The 30-year-old made just 31 appearances for the Red Devils last term, just 16 of those being starts. Things have grown worse for Maguire recently after seeing the United captaincy stripped from him[3] and given to Portuguese playmaker Bruno Fernandes[4] instead. Now, former Premier League star Clinton Morrison[5] has told Maguire to leave the club in order to salvage his international career.

Man Utd takeover LIVE: Amrabat responds to offer, Hojlund transfer in jeopardy, Glazers avoid questions[6] Erik ten Hag changes Man Utd transfer plan after "cannot wait forever" warning[7]

As quoted by Sky Sports, he said: "Harry Maguire[8] needs to leave Manchester United for his own sake. No one likes to leave a club like that as they're one of the biggest in the World, but Maguire has to think of himself.

"You'd walk up the motorway to sign for that club and they're still huge given their fanbase. But the problem with Maguire is that his England career is on the line.

"He'll always get picked by Gareth Southgate[9] but he may not be a regular if he's not playing club football. I don't see him playing at United as he's now their fourth-choice centre-back.

Harry Maguire Harry Maguire is being eyed by both West Ham and Tottenham ( Getty Images)

Has Harry Maguire been a success or a failure at Man United? Share your thoughts in the comments below[10]

"I know you get injuries and Erik ten Hag[11] has said he wants to keep Maguire, but it's best for the player if he moves on and he still has a lot to offer to many other Premier League[12] clubs."

A number of clubs have been linked with making a move for Maguire before the end of the transfer window. Premier League rivals West Ham[13] and Tottenham[14] are thought to be among the defender’s suitors.

Despite making the decision to take the captain’s armband off of him, United boss Ten Hag appeared to offer Maguire a lifeline recently. The Dutchman underlined the defender’s importance to the Red Devils and suggested that he could still have a future with the club.[15]

"I think everyone can understand that for a player it's a disappointment but it can work out very well for the team and for Harry," he said. "He's an important player, we need four centre-backs minimum you have seen last season we play so many games and we are really pleased to have Harry in our squad."

Maguire originally moved to Old Trafford in the summer of 2019. The Red Devils paid Leicester a world record £80m[16] to secure his services.

He has gone on to make 175 appearances for the Red Devils in all competitions since. Maguire won his first trophy as a Man United player last term as he helped the club to the Carabao Cup.

References

  1. ^ Harry Maguire (www.mirror.co.uk)
  2. ^ Manchester United (www.mirror.co.uk)
  3. ^ United captaincy stripped from him (www.mirror.co.uk)
  4. ^ given to Portuguese playmaker Bruno Fernandes (www.mirror.co.uk)
  5. ^ Clinton Morrison (www.mirror.co.uk)
  6. ^ Man Utd takeover LIVE: Amrabat responds to offer, Hojlund transfer in jeopardy, Glazers avoid questions (www.mirror.co.uk)
  7. ^ Erik ten Hag changes Man Utd transfer plan after "cannot wait forever" warning (www.mirror.co.uk)
  8. ^ "Harry Maguire (www.mirror.co.uk)
  9. ^ Gareth Southgate (www.mirror.co.uk)
  10. ^ Share your thoughts in the comments below (www.mirror.co.uk)
  11. ^ Erik ten Hag (www.mirror.co.uk)
  12. ^ Premier League (www.mirror.co.uk)
  13. ^ West Ham (www.mirror.co.uk)
  14. ^ Tottenham (www.mirror.co.uk)
  15. ^ suggested that he could still have a future with the club. (www.mirror.co.uk)
  16. ^ The Red Devils paid Leicester a world record £80m (www.mirror.co.uk)

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