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Report: Man United could replace Harry Maguire with this talented Bundesliga star

Manchester United could replace Harry Maguire with Manuel Akanji.
Manchester United could replace Harry Maguire with Manuel Akanji. (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images)

Harry Maguire in danger of being replaced as Manchester United submit transfer offer for Manuel Akanji

According to BILD (h/t Express), Borussia Dortmund star Manuel Akanji has an offer from Manchester United on the table for a summer move, with the club eyeing him as a replacement for defender Harry Maguire.

The English international moved to Old Trafford in 2019 after a successful World Cup with England, where he helped the Three Lions reach the semi-finals of the competition. Not long after his move, the defender was made captain of the club, in a massive show of faith.

However, things have not gone to plan for Maguire in Manchester, as he looks to be out of form and has largely been responsible for several defensive gaffes. Despite being the skipper, he does not seem to be leading by example.

Harry Maguire in danger of being replaced as Manchester United submit transfer offer for Manuel Akanji .
Borussia Dortmund star Manuel Akanji could replace Harry Maguire at Manchester United.

Man United’s interest in Akanji is hardly surprising, given the current state of the team. The Red Devils’ rearguard has not looked solid of late, and have been conceding cheap goals caused by schoolboy errors at the back. This, combined with the lack of goals up front has led to the club regularly dropping points.

Fall guy Maguire?

The beginning of the season saw Old Trafford welcome Raphael Varane from Real Madrid, with the Frenchman widely expected to partner Maguire in defence and plug the holes at the back. So far, the World Cup winner has only proven to be satisfactory at the heart of the defence.

It is said that the Red Devils believe that the best is yet to come from Varane, but he needs a solid defensive partner to help him achieve that. This is where Akanji steps in, and should the Switzerland international make a move in the summer, then Maguire is expected to be the one to take the fall.

Harry Maguire in danger of being replaced as Manchester United submit transfer offer for Manuel Akanji .
Manchester United show interest in Borussia Dortmund centre-back Manuel Akanji.

The Manchester club also have Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, and Phil Jones to call upon in defence if needed. The latter duo, however, have been rarely used by the club in the Premier League and are unlikely to provide competition to Maguire in the near future as well.

Lindelof however, poses a threat to Maguire’s place in defence as the Sweden international partnered up with Varane last weekend against Watford as the pair kept a clean sheet at home. United fans who watched the game may vouch for the fact that the duo were excellent and worked well together.

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Apart from having a poor season himself, Maguire now has to deal with the fact that Lindelof may replace him in defence. Add to this the rumours about Akanji making a move, and it almost seems like Man United have given up on their club captain.

All this could change for the skipper if he stamps his authority on the team in the coming months. As captain of the side, he is expected to lead the side out for the remaining games in the season and Maguire needs to grab his opportunities and prove to everyone just why the club signed him in 2019. A statement performance against Manchester City this weekend would definitely do the trick.

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