Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Merson feels Man Utd struggler ‘has to leave’ with Tottenham tipped for £40million transfer

Man Utd trio David de Gea, Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire

Paul Merson detailed how he feels Harry Maguire “has to leave” Manchester United, as Michael Dawson admitted he’d “take him” at Tottenham.

Maguire’s role at United, after having been a consistent one in his first few seasons, has dwindled massively. Indeed, the defender’s first campaign at Old Trafford saw him play every single Premier League game.

The following season, he missed just four games in the league. Last term, he missed eight games, mostly due to the fact he’d suffered a few minor injuries.

The United defender has been criticised on occasion during his time at the club. The fact the club finished sixth under his captaincy last season was not a great sign.

As such, when Erik ten Hag took charge in the summer, he put plans in place to replace him, whether or not that was the initial idea, it’s how things have panned out. Indeed, he signed Lisandro Martinez, who began the season alongside Maguire.

However, the Englishman was quickly swapped out for Raphael Varane. The centre-back, when fit, has formed a good partnership with Martinez – Ten Hag’s preferred one in the heart of the defence.

As such, Maguire has made just 15 league appearances this season, with only seven of those coming from the start.

Following his fall from grace, a move away from Old Trafford looks favourable. The centre-back has been linked with West Ham and Tottenham, and it seems United are keen to facilitate a move, dropping their asking price to £40million.

Merson feels Maguire ‘has to leave’

Two Sky Sports pundits have had their say on the future of the Englishman. Merson detailed how any move would be a backwards step for Maguire, who may hold out hope for a role at the club in a certain scenario.

“Yeah, it’s hard though, he’s at the biggest club in the world in my opinion, I know they’re not performing like the biggest club in the world but they’re a huge club and he’s there, so wherever he goes from here is going to be a down[grade],” he said.

“Football’s a funny game, a couple of injuries and he’s back in the fold.”

However, there have been injuries to a lot of United’s backline this season, and Maguire has still hardly gotten a sniff. Despite feeling he may still be able to do a job at United, Merson admitted Maguire should leave.

“He’s worked so hard, from where he’s come from to get to Leicester then to get to Man Utd, it’s probably hard for him to leave, but he has to leave,” Merson added.

Dawson would ‘take him at Spurs tomorrow’

Merson also suggested United might find it difficult to find suitors for Maguire.

“I don’t know, I don’t know who’s going to take him. If he’s 40 or £50million he won’t [have a lot of suitors],” he said.

Former Tottenham defender Dawson feels United won’t have any problems, and suggested his former side could make use of the defender.

“There will be a lot of takers for Harry Maguire. I’d take him at Spurs tomorrow,” he said.

With Spurs already having been linked with the defender, there might be a genuine chance that they do end up taking him. They’d be getting an experienced Premier League centre-back, which could help them after their poor season.

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