Online Reporter
MANCHESTER UNITED are growing “concerned” about the future of Harry Maguire as he approaches the end of his contract.
The defender, 32, has a new lease of life under interim boss Michael Carrick, but there are worries that he could follow Casemiro out of the club this summer when their deals expire.
His return to the side in the heart of Carrick’s preferred back four has helped the side take five wins from six games since the boss’ arrival, with their only blemish being an away draw against West Ham. But according to reports from the Mail, the club hierarchy are growing concerned about the prospect of his exit.
He is available to negotiate over a pre-contract agreement, and has already turned down approaches from the Saudi Pro League and AC Milan this year. It is understood Maguire is keen on remaining at the club, but would likely have to take a pay cut in order to make a deal work.
It is clear that Carrick is aware of the positive impact the former Leicester City man has on the team, opening up on his future earlier this week.
He said: “Within the squad there is that balance, you want that younger potential and excitement, but you need the sweet spot in the middle with players at the peak, and experience is massive.
“It’s hard to put a price on how valuable that can be. Harry has gained an awful lot of experience with this club. Casemiro leaving is another one and we have to understand what that means.”
Maguire is only at the club after a 12-month extension to his contract was triggered last year.
But a week away from his 33rd birthday, it is unclear where the man himself stands on a potential renewal. One boost to both him and the club’s prospects is his form. If there were any lingering doubts about his ability to keep up at this level, they have been quelled after clean sheets against Everton, Spurs and even rivals Manchester City.
When asked if Maguire might even be in the form of his life, Carrick said: “There is a case (for that), as your career goes when you’re a young player and everything is fresh, you’re fearless and there’s not many scars there.
“You get to your peak years and you feel good and everything is there, but you’ve had a few ups and downs. You get towards the later times and the experience should make you a better player, we’ve seen that with Harry’s performances of late.
“That’s why experience is important, I felt it when I was playing, 31 or 32 were my best years of being in that sweet spot to do it physically still but use the experiences to know what is coming.”
Maguire came very close to an exit after hitting a rough patch of form in the 2022/23 season.
But the star rejected a £30million move to West Ham, choosing to continue slugging it out for a starting spot at Old Trafford.
And now he has finally come good, after struggling to find minutes in Ruben Amorim‘s 3421 formation last season.
Carrick hinted that he has hopes for an extension with the England international, adding: “Harry’s an impressive character. He’s had a great career so far. Hopefully, there’s a lot more to come.
“I think, even while he’s been here, in the journey and the experiences that he’s had, certainly since he’s been here and with England as well, I think he’s shown exactly what he is.” — Sun
