In a surprising turn of events, Manchester United’s defender Harry Maguire has opted to reject a lucrative offer from West Ham United, a decision that has drawn mixed reactions from fans and pundits alike. The £30 million ($38 million) bid was accepted by United, but Maguire declined the move after failing to reach an agreement on personal terms with the London club.
Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, expressed his contentment with Maguire’s choice to remain at Old Trafford. The England international’s decision has solidified his place as the fourth-choice center-back in the squad, behind Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, and Victor Lindelof.
This decision comes after Maguire had previously been stripped of his captaincy due to his limited Premier League starts during the previous season, making only eight appearances. Despite this, Ten Hag conveyed his satisfaction with Maguire’s commitment, stating, “I am happy Harry Maguire is here. He is going to have to fight for his position as does everyone in the squad. He knows what I expect from him, what I expect from a center-half. He can do it, he has the abilities to do it, so now he has to show it.”
As the new Premier League season commenced, Maguire found himself on the bench as an unused substitute during Manchester United’s 1-0 victory over Wolves. His absence from the starting lineup is a blow, particularly after Lindelof was called upon to replace the injured Martinez. Ten Hag urged Maguire to demonstrate his worth and determination to earn a regular spot in the first team, highlighting the importance of character and conviction in the role.
With Manchester United’s packed schedule of 50 to 60 games anticipated this season, Ten Hag emphasized the necessity of a strong defensive roster. The manager stressed, “We have four good center halves and including Luke Shaw we have five, and we need it because we are going to play 50 or 60 games this season. All the players are internationals so we have a lot of load to cover.”
In the midst of these developments, talks between Manchester United and former center-back Jonny Evans remain ongoing. Evans, 35, initially joined the club on a short-term deal to cover pre-season fixtures in July. Although the contract has expired, Ten Hag confirmed that discussions are still underway with the seasoned defender. Evans, who previously departed United for West Brom in 2015, was seen observing the Wolves game from the director’s box at Old Trafford. Ten Hag commented, “In this moment, he is not [under contract] but we are talking. We will see. We are in talks and when we have news we will bring it.”
Separately, Manchester United addressed the ongoing internal investigation into Mason Greenwood. The young player had been suspended by the team since January 2022 in connection with allegations involving a young woman, which were subsequently discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service six months ago. Reports suggest that United is considering reintegrating Greenwood into the first-team setup, sparking protests from certain sections of the fan base during the Wolves game.
Despite the controversy, Ten Hag maintained his focus on the team’s performance, stating, “We focus on the way of playing, we focus on the team performance. It is about the players who are available so we focus on Tottenham.”
As Manchester United navigates these intricate dynamics, the upcoming season promises to be one of challenges and opportunities for both the players and the management team.
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