- Manchester United announce new Harry Maguire deal
- Michael Carrick will be thrilled
- Veteran defender has been crucial
Manchester United have announced that Harry Maguire has signed a contract extension with the club. The veteran English defender’s future was uncertain heading into the final months of his previous deal.
Maguire has encountered a rollercoaster ride throughout his spell at Old Trafford. The 33-year-old arrived from Leicester City in the summer of 2019 for £80m.
That made him the world’s most expensive defender and, as a result, put every performance under the microscope. Every mistake made was headline news, and the negativity reached a fever pitch, mocked by pundits and even met with a bomb threat.
Maguire Stays
Maguire’s resilience has been simply astonishing, as he has played his way through a volatile situation. He silenced his critics with consistent displays that have earned him a new contract.
The England international has come to the fore for the Reds in recent seasons. He’s not just a dominant presence at the back but also a real threat from set pieces such as his winner against Lyon in last season’s Europa League.
The club announced on their official website:
“Harry Maguire has signed a new contract that will extend his stay with Manchester United until June 2027, with the option for a further year.“
Maguire was delighted to extend his stay at United:
“Representing Manchester United is the ultimate honour. It is a responsibility that makes myself and my family proud every single day… I am delighted to extend my journey at this incredible club to at least eight seasons and continue to play in front of our special supporters to create more amazing moments together.”
Michael Carrick Will Be Delighted
When Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim in January, he was tasked with regalvanising a beleaguered squad. The mood was low at Carrington, but the English coach quickly put smiles back on the players’ faces.
Maguire might not be wearing the captain’s armband, but he’s been vital for Carrick both on the pitch and in the dressing room. He has used his experience to help the younger players such as Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven.
Carrick spoke of Maguire’s importance back in February and highlighted Casemiro’s departure. He told reporters:
“It’s hard to put a price on how valuable that can be. Harry has gained an awful lot of experience with this club. Casemiro leaving is another one and we have to understand what that means.“
Carrick acknowledged Maguire’s excellent season and suggested his mental toughness has helped him:
“There is a case (for that), as your career goes when you’re a young player and everything is fresh, you’re fearless and there’s not many scars there. You get to your peak years and you feel good and everything is there, but you’ve had a few ups and downs.”
He added:
“You get towards the later times and the experience should make you a better player, we’ve seen that with Harry’s performances of late.”
With Maguire’s future now sorted, the attention turns to Kobbie Mainoo, who is also in talks over a new deal. Carrick will be pulling for the English midfielder to commit his long-term future to the club, as he has put his faith in him since replacing Amorim.
