Despite playing a bit part role under Erik ten Hag so far, Harry Maguire has been happy to fight for his place in the Manchester United team, without his head being turned. Until now.
Maguire was stripped of the United captaincy on Sunday as Ten Hag continues his restructuring of the club in his vision. The way that was handled, sources have told i, has left the England centre-back feeling “angered”.
While not placed on any transfer list, sources added that Maguire effectively feels like he is up for sale, and while willing to give 100 per cent if called upon by Ten Hag, he is very much considering his options.
West Ham have already had a loan bid for the 30-year-old rejected by United, but a move to link-up with former boss David Moyes in the capital is one that “appeals” to Maguire.
Maguire had done all he can to offer competition to Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez at the heart of the United defence ahead of the new campaign.
He had very little break after the climax of last season, undertaking a vigorous personal fitness schedule, off his own back, to get in pristine shape even before the resumption of pre-season training.
Now, the former skipper finds himself in a difficult situation. Insiders told i at the start of the summer that Maguire is one of several players United were considering offloading to boost their transfer kitty.
While a loan move looks the most likely course of action, such a deal does not really help address the restricted funds conundrum, as a result of Financial Fair Play, United find themselves in.
Even a sale is fraught with obstacles. Maguire has two years left on a £190,000-a-week contract, that was further enhanced by United qualifying for the Champions League. United will therefore need to recoup a substantial fee to stop themselves losing money on any Maguire sale, as he will only likely earn half what he is on now, leaving them to stump up the rest.
West Ham remain interested, an insider added, despite their initial knockback. Aston Villa were also keen, but the arrival of Pau Torres from Villarreal may have filled that void. Options abroad are set to present themselves, too.
For now, Maguire remains a United player, where he retains the “respect of the dressing room”, but his desire to prolong his career in Manchester is diminishing by the week.
Ten Hag’s decision to air the captaincy change in public is just another example of how, no matter how high-profile the player, he will do things his way.
The squad, with or without Maguire in it, is taking shape. Bruno Fernandes is expected to be named as the new skipper, while the arrival of goalkeeper Andre Onana is imminent, with personal terms agreed and a fee all-but finalised with Inter Milan, sources told i.
Onana has been “desperate” to link up with Ten Hag again having worked under him at Ajax before joining Inter. Personal terms were never going to be an issue as a result.
A fee of around £47m is set to be agreed with Inter in the coming days, with the hope that Onana can then join up with the club on the pre-season tour of the US.
There is further good news in store for United fans too, with sources adding that Marcus Rashford is set to sign a new five-year contract worth around £325,000-a-week.
An agreement in principle is in place. Rashford, whose present deal is worth about £250,000-a-week, was a player reborn last season, scoring 30 goals in all competitions, and after interest from Europe the club have been keen to tie him down.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/YS0hpRL
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