Harry Maguire’s skill in possession is appreciated by Manchester United’s coaching staff, but they have serious concerns about other facets of his performance.
According to Rob Dawson of ESPN, after a successful international break with England, Maguire still has a difficult road ahead of him to secure his future at Old Trafford.
According to Dawson, Erik ten Hag is unlikely to change his favoured center-back pairing of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane in the wake of Maguire’s performances for the Three Lions against Italy and Ukrɑine.
The fact that Maguire felt the need to come out swinging and defend himself in the public eye despite starting and playing every single minute of England’s first victory over Italy since 1961 is proof of his current situation.
As United’s captain and England’s top goal scorer among defenders, Maguire claimed that he has nothing to prove to anyone. These comments were not warmly received by all fans.
In his article, Dawson goes into great length regarding Maguire’s internal conflicts at Old Trafford, including his fascination with checking social media constantly to see what irate fans are saying about his performances.
Following his £80 million transfer from Leicester in 2019, Maguire was eager to take the leadership when it was offered to him by Solskjaer. However, according to sources, it has come with more pressure and scrutiny than he anticipated.
Maguire sometimes focuses too much on social media criticism, according to sources who spoke to ESPN, despite being ordered to avoid using Twitter right after games.
“It didn’t help last season that he also became entangled in Cristiano Ronaldo-related locker room politics. Sources claim that Ronaldo expressed his desire to serve as captain to Rangnick, the caretaker appointed after Solskjaer was fired in November 2021. Rangnick said no.
Dawson describes a horrible incident in which a few of Maguire’s followers harassed his family members when they were dining at an Italian restaurant in Bergamo. This event happened after Liverpool humiliated the Red Devils 5-0 in October 2021; Maguire was responsible for several of the goals allowed.
Only days after Liverpool’s loss, United was in Italy for a Champions League match.
The United captain’s family had to leave the restaurant due to the jeers hurled at them.
The coaching staff at United, according to sources who spoke to ESPN, likes Maguire’s skill with the ball but is concerned about his propensity to run out to win challenges and what they believe to be a lack of mobility.
The fact that United has only lost three times when Varane and Martinez began together has contributed to the season’s lack of opportunities.
Maguire will likely leave United in the summer when the transfer window opens because his time there is beginning to appear increasingly bleak.
Ten Hag will take into account reasonable bids for the 30-year-old, particularly if he decides to add another defender to the team.
Axel Disasi of Monaco, Jurrien Timber of Ajax, and Kim Min-jae of Napoli are just a few players for whom the Reds have already been linked with transfers.
Man Utd plot double swoop for Kolo Muani and Hojlund
According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United is reportedly considering a double summer move for Rasmus Winther Hojlund and Randal Kolo Muani.
It is no ꜱеϲгеt that the Red Devils are eager to improve their striker position for the next campaign. They acquired Wout Weghorst in January on a six-month loan, but he will return to Burnley at the end of the year, leaving Erik ten Hag without any options in attack.
In recent months, a number of players, including Kolo Muani and Hojlund, have been mentioned as possible candidates for an Old Trafford transfer. According to numerous reports, Harry Kane is ten Hag’s top target, and United are prepared to make a move for him this summer.
Regardless of whether the Englishman signs a new contract in the coming months, Tottenham has made it clear that they have no intention of selling its hitman, who will reach the final year of his present contract this summer.
If a deal for Kane cannot be reached in the summer transfer window, it appears that United is preparing up alternative targets. According to a report by the MEN, Man Utd is planning a double swoop for Kolo Muani and Hojlund.
Kolo Muani and Hojlund have become household names after putting on standout performances for both club and country. Man United will face intense competition since other teams in Europe have been paying them a lot of attention in the months leading up to the summer transfer window.
Man Utd plotting swoop for striker duo
Until June 2027, Kolo Muani and Hojlund are committed to their respective teams, Eintracht Frankfurt and Atalanta. Thus, neither team is in a hurry to let their key players leave this summer.
When Kolo Muani is forced to be sold, Frankfurt is гᴜmогed to demand £89 million from the buyer. According to a recent гᴜmог, the player’s mind changed when he heard Manchester United was interested, and the Frenchman is desperate to join the club this summer.
Hojlund, on the other hand, has recently indicated his desire to join Ten Hag’s team, and Atalanta are apparently willing to accept £35 million for his sale. Consequently, to entice the pair to Old Trafford at the conclusion of this season, United would need to invest about £124 million combined.
This season, Kolo Muani and Hojlund have demonstrated their abilities in their respective competitions. If Man United is able to close both deals, they would strengthen the attacking side of the Red Devils.
