In a surprising turn of events, Manchester United’s manager Erik ten Hag has raised eyebrows by suggesting that he would empathize with Harry Maguire should the English defender choose to depart the club this summer.
Amidst soaring expectations triggered by his staggering £80 million price tag, Maguire’s tenure at Old Trafford has left many yearning for more. As whispers of a potential exit circulate, the looming question of unfulfilled potential hangs in the air, leaving fans and pundits alike captivated by the uncertain fate of the towering centre-back.
Manchester United’s defensive dynamics have undergone a seismic shift under Erik ten Hag, with Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane emerging as the preferred center-back pairing. Consequently, Harry Maguire, once a stalwart and captain of the team, has found himself restricted to a mere eight Premier League starts this season.
With his status and age at 30, the towering defender might be contemplating a departure from Old Trafford in search of greener pastures, yearning for regular playing time that seems elusive in his current predicament. Speculations have even arisen, as reported by GiveMeSport, suggesting that Manchester United is mulling over the possibility of loaning out Maguire for the upcoming season, hinting at a potential new chapter in the Englishman’s career.
When asked by the Times if Maguire might leave the team this summer, Ten Hag responded: “No one would be happy with this situation. [Maguire] is not as well. He trains always on the best levels, so with 100 percent effort. So he handles that situation well and he’s in that manner and in his captaincy, he’s important for the squad.” (an article from sportskeeda.com reported)
Further, he added, “So Maguire will stay. Let’s say I’m happy he’s here and when we needed him he did his job. But it’s also a decision he has to make.” (an article from sportskeeda.com reported)
Gareth Southgate, the unwavering England manager, stands firm in his allegiance to Harry Maguire, undeterred by the defender’s limited appearances at Manchester United. Maguire’s commitment to the national team has been unwavering, having featured in all six of England’s UEFA Nations League matches last year and played a pivotal role in their 2022 World Cup campaign until their quarter-final exit.
Demonstrating his importance to the Three Lions, Maguire also started in both UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers in March, showcasing his unwavering dedication and earning the continued trust of Southgate on the international stage.
The addition of Maguire in the starting lineup comes at the cost of other outstanding center-backs who are frequently playing for their club.