Michael Carrick has led Manchester United to back-to-back wins in his two Premier League games since replacing Ruben Amorim, with Harry Maguire at the heart of his back four
Harry Maguire and Matheus Cunha celebrate the Brazilian’s winner at Arsenal(Image: 2026 Manchester United FC)
Manchester United bosses are yet to decide on what to do about Harry Maguire – with club chiefs understood to be split over the future of the veteran centre-back.
Maguire, now 32, will become a free agent in June, and has not been offered a contract extension to remain at Old Trafford. He is allowed to open talks with other clubs – and his representatives from ‘Triple S Management’ have been in dialogue with some from across Europe..
Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reluctant to hand Maguire a new deal. Instead, he believes young duo Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven can develop into a long-term partnership, while United also have Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt to lean on – a duo still in the mid 20s but whom boast a wealth of experience.
However, England international Maguire still boasts a lot of backing and support from senior figures at United. And he has proved in recent games that when fit and focused, he is still one of the best defenders in the Premier League.
Behind the scenes, his knowledge and experience of being at United since his £80million switch from Leicester City in 2019, has seen him become a defensive mentor to the likes of Yoro and Heaven.
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Interim boss Michael Carrick has not been consulted on the subject of Maguire, when it comes to his contract situation. However, Carrick has let it be known Maguire is still valued, and remains an integral part of the team’s future.
It’s understood Maguire is reluctant to move abroad and uproot his young family. He knows his best chances of winning more England caps in the future will be improved if he remains at Old Trafford. And he is willing to accept a reduction of his £200,000-a-week wages.
Co-owner Ratcliffe lacks experience when it comes to running a football club, and there are serious questions around whether he understands the bigger picture when it comes to some of United’s senior players.
Brazilian midfielder Casemiro has already announce he will leave in the summer, and there’s a chance skipper Bruno Fernandes could do the same. United already have a problem when it comes to leaders among the club’s playing contingent, and losing the aformentioned duo and Maguire would further expose the problem.
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United are in rebuilding mode but defence is not one of the priorities. And if Maguire is still capable of being a colossus in the biggest games, like he has been in the recent wins over Manchester City and Arsenal, it would make no sense to let him walk out of the door.
There’s no doubt Maguire has had tough times during his Old Trafford career, frozen out by managers looking for something else – and of course being stripped of the captaincy by Erik ten Hag.
But he has shown remarkable character and resilience to come back fighting and prove those who doubted him wrong. Ultimately he outlasted both Ten Hag and Ruben Amorim.