What's Next For Harry Maguire?

Harry Maguire signed for the biggest club in world football as the most expensive defender of all time back in 2019. What has happened during his time at the club & more importantly, what's next?

Following Maguire's summer move from Leicester back in 2019 it was pretty much smooth sailing for the honeymoon period. The Englishman even replaced fellow compatriot Ashley Young as club captain following the fullbacks move to Inter Milan in the Serie A after only being at the club for a handful of months.

However, fairly or unfairly, with a world record transfer fee spent recruiting the centre half a high level of performance was quickly expected to follow. 

When United splashed the cash to bring him into the club everyone knew they had overpaid, even those signing the papers. The phrase 'English Tax' has never been more fitting & that doesn't just finish with Harry Maguire. United have consistently paid premium transfer fees for English talent including Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£55m) & more recently Jadon Sancho (£72.9m). 

United desperately needed to recruit a new centre half with their roster consisting of: Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Chris Smalling, Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelöf & Axel Tuanzebe. If there wasn't already damming proof of how poor United's recruitment strategy was this transfer surely rubber-stamped it.

Following impressive performances for England & Leicester City, United made Maguire their main target, despite both respective squads playing with a back five which was evidently disguising Maguire's true ability.

Many actually would claim United signed the worst of the Leicester options at the time with former red Jonny Evans showing he could still do it at the highest level. Even Leicester City replaced Maguire with the better option as they clinched Wesley Fofana from St. Etienne for only £36.5m. A deal which now looks shrewd business after the young prospect recently signed for Chelsea for £75m.

Despite constant poor performances Harry Maguire managed to equal the a club record of playing the most successful full matches with 71 played between August 2019 & May 2021.

Maguire had managed to stay a constant in the club's defence under different managers but after the first couple of games this season the constant presence at the backline was updated and improved upon.

After letting in six within the first two games of the season against Brighton & Brentford leaving United' bottom of the table changes had to be made & new manager Erik ten Hag was not afraid to make big decisions that others have bottled in recent years.

As seen with how he dealt with Cristiano Ronaldo, ten Hag will do what he feels is necessary for his side to get the results needed. Not to ponder or player egos/status & certainly not to play a player solely because the club foolishly overspent on them under other managerial tenures.

Maguire has only made 11 appearances in the Premier League this season, making the Starting XI on only 5 occasions. Ten Hag has also opted for the more conventional & traditional method of a left footed left centre back with Lisandro Martinez as his first choice & even Luke Shaw as the acting deputy at times ahead of Maguire.

His contract is up in the summer of 2025 & although United have an option of a further year the likelihood of that being triggered is slim to nil.

United should look to cash in while they still can & look to offload the centre half in the upcoming summer window. The transfer would be beneficial for both parties as United can finally move on & Maguire can start getting game time which he needs in his career. 

Not that Gareth Southgate needs him to be playing to be selected...

Maguire's currently valued at just £25m & United know they will take a huge loss in this transfer.

A potential move to the likes of the Serie A in Italy could be a possibility for himself. Other English centre-backs have made the switch in recent years with Chris Smalling & Fikayo Tomori both winning silverware & revived careers in the Italian sun. 

The more likely switch will be another Premier League club with even a return to the King Power being an option. Chelsea were of course linked with the United skipper in recent times but having already signed three centre-backs under Boehly’s reign I think that would be rather unlikely.

United have been heavily linked with Napoli's 26-year-old centre half, Kim Min-Jae as a replacement for Maguire. The South Korean has been in excellent form for the Serie A leaders this season, being a stalwart in the heart of their defence.

The 6'2 Korean defender is brilliant aerially & with the ball at his feet with a pass success percentage one of the highest in the division with 90.7% whilst helping Napoli collect 14 clean sheets in the Serie A this season.

Napoli would be against sanctioning any future deal for a player they only signed in the summer but Min-Jae reportedly has a £42m release clause which would leave Napoli powerless if a bid were to come in.

United would need to act much sharper in this window especially if they are looking to land the defender as its reported his release clause can only be triggered within a 15 day period in the summer.

United has the possibility to offload Maguire & replace him with one of the best defenders in the world, currently, for a net spend of around £20m. It would be a no brainer & would still leave a large amount for United to further strengthen their attacking areas and midfield. 

Whether the new regime in the summer will be able to will be another question.