Man Utd fear they can’t shift senior star Ten Hag wants gone because of ‘insane’ issue, despite two Prem sides circling
An ‘insane’ issue could saddle Erik ten Hag with an unwanted Man Utd star despite two Premier League sides being named as viable summer suitors.
Ten Hag wasted little time stamping his mark on Manchester United and among his biggest early changes was ousting Harry Maguire from the starting eleven.
Summer recruit Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane are the Dutchman’s preferred centre-back pairing. Even when Martinez has missed out, Ten Hag has deployed left-back Luke Shaw out of position at centre-back on numerous occasions in 2023.
With Maguire tumbling down the pecking order, various outlets have concluded the England international’s time at Old Trafford is drawing to a close.
Indeed, the Manchester Evening News declared he’s among a trio signed for a combined £153m who’ve been put up for sale.
The Mail Plus subsequently echoed the claims Maguire is on the chopping block, though stressed he may only generate around half of the £80m he cost when signed from Leicester in 2019.
Speaking exclusively to TEAMtalk on Friday, transfer insider Graeme Bailey confirmed Maguire has been told by United he’s been made available for sale at season’s end.
Bailey name Newcastle and West Ham as among those sizing up a raid for a player who has always delivered the goods for his country.
However, his reported £200,000-a-week salary is an obvious hurdle many suitors will have difficulty overcoming.
High salary to saddle Man Utd with Maguire?
Now, a report by Football Insider has claimed Maguire’s ‘insane’ wages are causing consternation within Old Trafford.
FI report Man Utd ‘fear they won’t be able to sell Harry Maguire’ this summer thanks entirely to his colossal salary.
Maguire may well be open to a new challenge and once again playing regularly, and United are ready to cash in too. There’s seemingly plenty of interest in a move, though if the numbers don’t add up, all avenues may lead to a dead end.
While his form for the Three Lions has always been strong, his displays at club level in recent years have been cause for concern.
The fact he’s already the wrong side of 30 too could seemingly prevent certain suitors from committing to such a lofty outlay on wages.
Of course, Maguire could simply accept a reduced salary compared to what he earns at United to help push a move over the line. However, that’s not a route many footballers who still believe they can contribute at the highest level take.
FI reiterate Ten Hag has told the United board to cash in on Maguire. Whether he gets his wish is another matter entirely.
One club who wouldn’t baulk at Maguire’s £200,000-a-week wages is PSG who were surprisingly linked by the Sun last week.
The Parisians may soon have a void at centre-half if Sergio Ramos leaves to link up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr.
However, a Maguire move to PSG seems fanciful for the time being, as does the likes of Newcastle or West Ham being willing to absorb such a colossal salary for a United cast-off.
