Manchester United have seemingly made a breakthrough in talks with one of their players over a contract extension. Several players’ futures are up in the air heading towards the summer due to their current deals running out.
Casemiro has already announced that he will leave the club in June, and United are studying potential replacements. Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson are reportedly top of the Reds’ shortlist.
The veteran Brazilian isn’t the only member of the first-team squad whose contracts are up at the end of the season. Tyrell Malacia and Tom Heaton also look likely to be entering the final months of their spells at Old Trafford.
Carry on Harry
Harry Maguire is also playing the final season of his current contract, and speculation continues to grow over his future. The English defender has arguably been one of the greatest redemption stories in the club’s history.
The 32-year-old had been villainised for many years but showed unbelievable mental strength to prove his doubters wrong. He’s been vital for the Red Devils this season, appearing 15 times across competitions, helping his side keep two clean sheets.
Maguire’s United career looked in doubt ahead of this season due to his contractual situation. He currently earns a purported £190,000 per week (via Capology) and needs to take a pay cut to remain with the club.
According to TEAMtalk, Maguire is now prepared to do just that, which will help facilitate negotiations on a renewal. His partnership with Lisandro Martinez has been a crucial reason why Michael Carrick has made an unbeaten start to his second tenure as caretaker manager.
Maguire joined United from Leicester City for £80m in the summer of 2019. He became the world’s most expensive defender and was soon handed the captain’s armband.
Several mistake-prone performances led to the Englishman being constantly put under the microscope. Erik ten Hag looked to alleviate the pressure he was coming under when he handed the captaincy to Bruno Fernandes.
Maguire didn’t succumb to the ridicule from fans and even the media about his ability to play for United. He worked his way back into the team under Ten Hag and was one of Ruben Amorim’s leaders last season.
Amorim gave a glowing verdict of the England international and explained how his profile was ideal for a back-three. The Portuguese told reporters, “Maguire is perfect when you play with three defenders. He is perfect in the middle.”
INEOS’ defensive reboot
Should Maguire indeed extend his contract, that doesn’t mean Manchester United won’t be in the market for a new defender. The report adds that the club intends to sign a new centre-back to provide more options for whoever is in charge next season.
That is somewhat surprising given the stacked pool of defenders currently in Carrick’s squad. Maguire and Martinez have been his starting defensive duo, but he has also called upon Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven.
Matthijs de Ligt has been sidelined since November with a back issue that derailed an impressive sophomore season for the Dutchman. Once he recovers, he will be looking to displace either Maguire or Barcelona-linked Martinez in Carrick’s backline.
