Manchester United will aim to retain the services of Harry Maguire despite suggestions that the former captain is up for sale, FootballTransfers can reveal.
The club are gearing up for a major summer overhaul in the upcoming transfer window, but one player Ineos are keen to keep hold of is the 31-year-old.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe assumed control of all football operations after acquiring a 25% stake in the club earlier this year. He has also appointed Jason Wilcox as the technical director, who joined from Southampton, and Omar Barada as their new chief executive, with the hierarchy taking shape, with Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth ready and waiting to make the move from Newcastle.
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The Red Devils are looking to offload at least ten first-team squad members, but one player they intend to retain is Maguire, who they believe can mentor the array of talented youngsters at the club.
According to sources, Ineos have initiated discussions over triggering the option on his contract during the first part of next season.
However, if Maguire does stay, the move will not deter Man Utd from seeking to recruit one, if not two, new centre-backs in the summer. It would mean that the former Leicester City man will have to decide on whether he wishes to remain at Old Trafford, given his playing time is expected to diminish for the remainder of his contract.
Maguire joined the Red Devils from the Foxes in 2019 for £80 million – a then-world record fee for a defender.
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He agreed on a six-year contract at Old Trafford, with the option of a further year, and has gone on to play 206 games for the club in all competitions.
What did Harry Maguire say about Man Utd’s form?
Maguire has been part of the Man Utd side that have endured some poor displays this season. The defender told Sky Sports of the criticism recently aimed at the club: “I’ve been at this club a long enough time to know that the noise around the place is always here, whether it’s with the manager or the players,” Maguire said.
“There are players under huge amounts of pressure and when you lose football matches or go on bad runs, the manager becomes under pressure as well.
“We all know that it’s about maintaining our focus and aims for the season and sticking together. We believe that we can still achieve things this season.
“We’ve got an FA Cup final to play for, Premier League games to fight in and we’re all in this together. The manager, the players, the fans, the staff, we all want the same thing and that’s to be successful.”
