Harry Maguire is facing a significant loss at Manchester United, as reports indicate the club is prepared to take a staggering £70 million hit on the former captain ahead of the January transfer window. Since his record £80 million transfer from Leicester City in 2019, Maguire has had a tumultuous time at Old Trafford.
Initially heralded as the most expensive defender in football history, the England international was expected to excel at United and establish himself as a top defender in the Premier League. He was appointed captain shortly after his arrival, but his tenure as captain ended last year amid mounting criticism from club legends and a large section of the fanbase for his performances.
Maguire, now 31, has struggled to regain his place in the team in recent years, and recurring injury issues have hindered his progress. His fitness concerns led to his absence from England’s Euro 2024 campaign last summer, and he suffered another injury setback during a goalless draw with Aston Villa before the recent international break. Maguire indicated he would be sidelined for “a few weeks,” giving him limited time to showcase his abilities to the club before a potential January sale.
Manager Erik ten Hag was open to parting ways with Maguire last year, but after a proposed move to West Ham fell through, he began to utilize him again. However, the acquisition of two new center-backs over the summer suggests that Ten Hag still harbors doubts about Maguire’s capabilities.
According to the Daily Star, Ten Hag has now sanctioned Maguire’s exit for the winter window, with the club reportedly willing to accept just £10 million for him, representing an incredible £70 million loss.
United also signed Leny Yoro for over £50 million, outbidding clubs like Real Madrid and Liverpool for the French talent. Additionally, they brought in Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich. While De Ligt has struggled early in his United career, Ten Hag is expected to rely on him and Yoro upon their recovery from injuries.
Maguire is facing increased competition from Argentina World Cup winner Lisandro Martinez and 36-year-old Jonny Evans, who delivered a standout performance against Villa last weekend. Commenting on his injury setback, Maguire expressed frustration, stating, “I’ll be out for a few weeks but I’ll come back stronger.”
Ten Hag had been eager to integrate De Ligt into the lineup at the beginning of the season, and Manchester United legend Paul Scholes believes the manager was waiting for any chance to drop Maguire. However, Scholes is not convinced that De Ligt represents a significant upgrade over Maguire, saying, “He might be slightly better, but he is not a massive improvement.”
Following a dismal start to the season with just two wins from seven matches, Manchester United will likely seek reinforcements in January, currently sitting 14th in the Premier League.