Manchester United have had themselves donning the headlines in the papers for all the wrong reasons this season. And another decision that the chiefs at Carrington are about to make is going to take up the headlines as the Harry Maguire resolution comes close…
There are reports suggesting that United are unwilling to take up the 12-month option in the England international’s current contract at Old Trafford. And that is a massive risk given that it would mean that clubs could secure his signature on a free transfer in 2026.
Harry Maguire was brought in at Old Trafford in a highly anticipated move. He was signed for an £80m fee from Leicester City given his impressive performances playing at the heart of the back three at King Power.
But it has been a roller coaster of a time at M16 instead. It hasn’t really been as spotless and seamless as his performances donning the Foxes badge. And now United are set to let him walk away from Old Trafford for nothing.
United not to hand Maguire a new contract at M16
According to the report by The Express, Ruben Amorim & Co. are not to activate the clause in his contract that would have extended Maguire’s stay for another twelve months. While it would have been a safeguard to his market value if the club were looking to cut losses.
But the report states that this will help the new wage-conscious strategy at Old Trafford. It is a way to clear the books from those hefty wage bills and look forward. But if you start reading between the lines. You also realise that no serious club is willing to pay a reasonable fee for Maguire at this stage of his career, and the chiefs at Carrington know it.
In Maguire we are talking about a player that cost more than Virgil van Dijk. He at the time was the highlight player donning the Three Lions badge. At Unites, he was handed the captaincy within six months of arriving. But then things with Harry dropped off…
Maguire had a howler of couple of seasons
Let’s be honest, his drop-off has not been as sudden as the above paragraphs depict. If we go back a few months to when Erik ten Hag was at the helm, Maguire had already become surplus to requirements. His armband was stripped. And soon his minutes dwindled.
While there were a few positive words from ten Hag, you didn’t see any on-pitch actions of those words as the former Foxes centre-back continued to warm the bench. And while Ruben Amorim has now taken over the proceedings at N17, little has changed. While he has had a handful of appearances this season, most of them are either enforced by injury or rotation, and he has been more of a second-choice option (one that is tolerated but not trusted).
And yet the Manchester Reds entertained the idea of giving him a new contract earlier this year. And it was not much to reward his loyalty to the club or his performances, but it was to preserve his value. But it looks like even that idea has been considered and abandoned by the club.
That wage risk with Maguire
Maguire is estimated to be grossing £190,000 per week. Now that is quite reasonable wages when you consider the club with the financial flex of Manchester United. But then you have to start asking other questions. Does Maguire at that wage give you a presence which is near to the value? And while many would suggest he wouldn’t, he is the only veteran presence in a young backline that is already struggling.
But that being said, it is not expected that he would be playing a starting role in the upcoming year. So it would be a risk to have a high-earning bench option if no clubs come in for him.
Author Opinion
I do believe that the option to not renew his contract is the right one. We have seen time and again how clubs in the Premier League had to cut their losses and take a step back before pulling forward. Now this is not just merely about keeping Maguire to save expensive embarrassment. But it is instead about how it will open up a space in the squad.
Now this is where you can give young players their opportunities or dip into the market to bring in a high-quality talent to take up his space in the dressing room.
Do you think it is a wise decision from Man United to let go of Maguire on a free transfer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.