Is Maguire headed out of Trafford?
Inter Milan have made an enquiry about Harry Maguire though the Manchester United captain wants to wait until the summer to settle his Old Trafford future.
The Italian giants are in the market for a new central defender with Slovakian international Milan Skriniar joining PSG and Maguire’s reputation remains high overseas following his displays for England at the World Cup.
Maguire has started only one Premier League game for United in 2023 with Erik ten Hag building a partnership between Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane.
The 29-year-old is prepared to be patient in case injuries or suspensions give him a chance as he seeks the first major trophy of his career.
But if the situation hasn’t changed by the summer, Maguire will assess his options with a number of clubs in the Premier League and abroad likely to be strengthening their defence.
As previously reported, Manchester United want to keep Maguire in their squad to maintain their strength throughout the second-half of the season.
Despite being an integral part of England’s international side, Maguire has been continuously overlooked by Ten Hag, who wants to keep him for defensive cover.
Maguire has admitted he doesn’t want to become a bit-part player at Manchester United after being brought in from the cold Saturday’s 3-1 FA Cup win against Reading.
‘I’m 29 and haven’t really been in this position in my career before,’ said the United captain candidly.
‘I don’t want to get used to it but it is part and parcel of football. I’m pushing, training well, and when chance comes, I need to take it.
‘It was two-and-a-half weeks since my last start but I’ve felt I have looked after myself. I’ve been working hard in training. The lads who have been playing have been doing well. I have to be ready when my chance comes.
‘We’re all going to be needed for the second half of the season.’
Despite his reduction in game-time this campaign, Ten Hag insisted that he still has ‘big expectations’ on the defender.
He told ITV before the match with Reading: ‘We have to be ready that is why we have a strong selection. Harry [Maguire] is back.
‘I already said yesterday [in the pre-match press conference] he was ill when he returned from the World Cup, otherwise, he should have played a couple of games. But you have to pay to get back into the rhythm.
‘He did already play some games, but I think this is a good game for him to return in, especially when you see the height of the opponent. He had some chances. But every player has to pick their chances. -Dailymail
‘He is training very well, training very dominant. And that is what I want to see from him. He is a leader and captain and I have big expectations of him.
‘[But] it’s not just about Harry. As a team, we want to achieve, we want to achieve a result this season. We need a squad. So every player has to make a performance, has to give the best he has.’
