Ahead of a summer of turmoil, it appears that United captain Harry Maguire was persuaded to quit Old Trafford in search of more playing time by both Rio Ferdinand and another former Red Devil.
Since Varane and summer acquisition Martinez make up Erik ten Hag’s preferred center-back partnership at United, the central defender has spent the majority of the Dutchman’s first season in charge of the team on the bench.
Maguire is reportedly one of the most well-known players on Ten Hag’s list of players who will be leaving Old Trafford this summer. Since the United manager is eager to cut his bloated roster in preparation for the upcoming season, as many as 13 of the present crop may say goodbye in the upcoming months.
Some well-known figures think that Maguire would actually benefit from ending his United chapter; Ferdinand seems to agree.
The former Manchester United star has frequently expressed his opinion that it is time for Maguire and United to split ways, with Ferdinand wondering why the 30-year-old was still a member of the team in January.
More recently, Ferdinand urged Maguire to discover a new side while speaking on the podcast for his FIVE YouTube channel.
“I believe he must. He must travel in the summer if he wants to revive his career. He cannot remain there and take a backseat. If he actually wants to continue playing for England and get things together.
Maguire should be concerned to learn that it appears England manager Gareth Southgate concurs. The Three Lions manager has frequently been charged with over-relying on Maguire and giving the former Leicester player playing time that was not warranted by his club form.
Even Southgate acknowledged that Maguire’s restricted playing time this season might have an impact on the international stage.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Southgate highlighted Maguire and City midfielder Kalvin Phillips, both of whom were selected for England’s squad for the upcoming Euro qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.
He said of Maguire, “Inevitably, it’s not a scenario that can endure forever. “They are crucial players for us, and without Kalvin, we don’t have many players who can serve as that lone [midfield] pivot.”
The writing is on the wall for Maguire’s United career because he is now essentially United’s fifth-choice central defender behind Varane, Martinez, Victor Lindelof, and even typical left-back Luke Shaw.
If he wants to keep his England one alive, Maguire may have to make a move from Manchester as soon as this summer.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Southgate highlighted Maguire and City midfielder Kalvin Phillips, both of whom were selected for England’s squad for the upcoming Euro qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.
He said of Maguire, “Inevitably, it’s not a scenario that can endure forever. “They are crucial players for us, and without Kalvin, we don’t have many players who can serve as that lone [midfield] pivot.”
The writing is on the wall for Maguire’s United career because he is now essentially United’s fifth-choice central defender behind Varane, Martinez, Victor Lindelof, and even typical left-back Luke Shaw.