Ten Hag tried to push this star out last summer, but United must keep him – opinion

This time last year, Manchester United accepted a bid from West Ham United to part ways with Harry Maguire.

United’s most expensive defender appeared lost at Old Trafford, falling down the pecking order under Erik ten Hag, who had already stripped him of the captaincy.

However, Maguire never pushed for an exit and managed to stay, and with several solid performances during the 2023/24 campaign, he seemingly managed to change the sentiments of both his manager and the United faithful.

This summer, it does not appear that United are very determined to get rid of the England international. Still, it is understood they remain open to listening to offers amid concerns regarding the Premier League’s PSR rules.

Further, having already added Leny Yoro to his backline, Ten Hag is also hoping to reunite with his former Ajax man Matthijs de Ligt, and this pursuit may force United to sell another defender this summer.

Having said that, the club’s hierarchy would do well to place their trust in Maguire over De Ligt, and in the event they look to bring in the Bayern Munich star, they should look to offload someone else to balance their books.

With Raphael Varane gone, Maguire is currently United’s most experienced centre-back.

Ten Hag’s side, who have frequently struggled to manage different game states, often conceding multiple goals in quick succession, needs a calming presence in and around their penalty area.

While both Andre Onana and Lisandro Martinez are certainly loud and passionate, they lack Maguire’s composure — a trait that made the 31-year-old a reliable and regular fixture in both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Gareth Southgate’s lineups.

De Ligt has Maguire’s leadership qualities, but his injury record is worrying. The Dutchman missed 20 games for club and country last term. Martinez has also struggled with injuries during his time in England.

Maguire also found himself on the sidelines many times last term, but his overall career record is pretty impressive when it comes to availability.

With Varane gone, Maguire is also comfortably United’s most solid aerial presence. Both Martinez and Victor Lindelof are susceptible to getting outmuscled.

At 6ft 3in, Yoro certainly offers plenty of physical prowess, but he is only 18 and should not be given the responsibility to become United’s first-choice right-sided centre-back from the get-go despite being a generational talent.

Media have shown keen interest in his transfer fee, mentioning it even while reporting his injury, and they will certainly be ready to pounce on his every mistake.

In the current squad, no one knows how to handle the intense scrutiny better than Maguire, who has the skill sets and mentality to guide Yoro and his other teammates, both on and off the pitch.

Maguire is in frame to start in defence for the Premier League opener against Fulham on August 16, and it will be a good decision from the club’s hierarchy if he is also starting for United after August 30.

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