Erik ten Hag has urged Harry Maguire to stay at Manchester United this summer, despite reports of interest from a number of Premier League clubs.
Despite the fact that the Red Devils’ club captain has been replaced, with Bruno Fernandes taking over ahead of the 2023/24 season. Maguire was in charge for three and a half years before being replaced by Fernandes, who was announced on Thursday afternoon.
Maguire is also said to have been left out of Ten Hag’s Old Trafford leadership group. Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford, Tom Heaton, and Casemiro have been chosen by the Dutchman to assist captain Fernandes and provide input on crucial choices at Manchester United this season.
However, Ten Hag is still hoping to keep Maguire at the club this summer, according to talkSPORT. Despite alleged interest from West Ham, the ex-Ajax manager has warned the defender that he does not want him to leave the Red Devils. Chelsea and Tottenham are also interested in signing the England international.
Maguire appeared in just 16 Premier League games for United last season, finishing fourth behind Lisandro Martinez, Varane, and Victor Lindelof. In fact, Shaw was sometimes favored over Maguire in center defense, fueling talk about a summer move.
Ten Hag is said to have quietly told Maguire that he does not want him to quit but simply wants to choose his own captain, with Fernandes now receiving the nod. Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, on the other hand, feels Ten Hag should sell Maguire and believes it is the wisest decision for all parties.
“Erik ten Hag has a distinct style of play.” He must select individuals that fit his playing style, and Harry Maguire does not meet the description. Martinez and Varane were brought in to fit his mentality, and they will be his first-choice center-backs next season,” he told TNT Sports.
“It must have been difficult for Maguire to return to Manchester United as a substitute after playing so well for England.” That must have been very difficult to deal with mentally.
“What he wants to do now is the question.” Is he interested in being a squad player or a starter on another team? If he is satisfied as a squad player at Manchester United, he will stay; if he is not, he will leave. But if he continues at United, he’ll be a sub.”
Maguire has made 175 appearances for United since joining from Leicester for £80 million in 2019. He was a mainstay under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick, but with Ten Hag’s hiring last summer, he has lost his place in the XI.