Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has hinted that Harry Maguire's time at Old Trafford is coming to an end, telling the club captain that he has a decision to make on his future.
Maguire started the season at the heart of United's defence, but Ten Hag has gone with Raphael Varane and summer signing Lisandro Martinez as his preferred partnership. He also preferred Luke Shaw as his left-sided centre-back when Martinez picked up a season-ending injury, suggesting "the angles are not right" for the England international to start on that side.
United's skipper has started just five Premier League games since the World Cup, and just eight all season. And, while Ten Hag appreciates the former Leicester man's presence and leadership, he has hinted that he would understand if Maguire wants to move in search of regular first-team football.
"He has high competition there with Raphael Varane, who's fantastic," Ten Hag told The Times. Former Real Madrid star Varane returned from injury towards the end of the season and is in line to start ahead of Maguire in the FA Cup final.
“No-one would be happy with this situation [not playing]. He's not as well. He trains always on best levels, 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. 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 [over whether he leaves]."
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Maguire made a rare start on the final day of the Premier League season as United came from behind to beat Fulham. With new defender Kim Min-jae thought to be on the way, though, the centre-back may take heed of comments from former Red Devils centre-back Rio Ferdinand as well as those from the manager.
"I think he needs to [leave]," Ferdinand said in mid-May. "If he wants to resurrect his career he has to go in the summer. He cannot stay there and play second fiddle. If he genuinely wants to stay as an England player and get back on track.”
Maguire remains part of Gareth Southgate's England plans at international level, starting both March internationals and keeping his place in the squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia. He also played regularly at the 2022 World Cup, but Southgate has admitted the club situation isn't ideal.
“We are where we were ahead of the World Cup - and it’s not a perfect scenario," the England boss said in March. Harry has got two World Cup winners currently ahead of him in the (United) team and that’s the benchmark. He dealt with it brilliantly in Qatar. His performances were exceptional."
