Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Romano gives intriguing update on senior Man Utd player after last-minute Inter Milan approach

Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire of Man Utd

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag would reportedly not allow Harry Maguire to leave in January after being linked with a late loan move to Inter Milan. 

The England international has fallen down the Dutch coach’s pecking order this season but nevertheless decided against allowing his defender to leave.

With Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez currently sidelined with injuries, it remains to be seen whether he will once again break into Ten Hag’s starting XI.

As reported by TEAMtalk, Inter Milan made a shock loan approach for Maguire on Monday, prompting the manager to make a tough decision on his future.

West Ham also allegedly enquired about signing the 29-year-old, so there was no shortage of interest despite Maguire’s sporadic form.

However, as revealed by reputed transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, there was ‘no chance’ that Ten Hag would let him leave, at least, until the end of the season.

On Twitter, he wrote: “Despite links with Inter, Harry Maguire will not leave Manchester United. No chance, never been a concrete option in January.

“Maguire is staying at Manchester Utd at least until the end of the season.”

A move away would offer Maguire a chance to reignite his career elsewhere, but for now, he will have to try and fight his way back into the United team.

Maguire still determined to fight for Manchester United despite departure links

As mentioned, the English centre-back has fallen out of favour this season. So far, he has made eight appearances for the Red Devils in the Premier League, but the majority of these have seen Maguire come off the bench.

He did, however, play the full 90 minutes of United’s recent 3-1 victory over Reading in the FA Cup fourth round. Speaking in a psost-match inerview, he expressed his desire to play regular football for his team once again.

Speaking to ITVhe said: “I feel like I’ve looked after myself – I think it’s two-and-a-half weeks since my last start – so I’ve been working hard in training.

“The lads who’ve been playing have been doing well so when I get the opportunity I need to take it and make sure we win.”

“It was nice to be out there helping the lads and I’m ready when my chance comes. I’m working hard every day, I’m pushing, I’m training well, and when my chance comes I need to take it.

“We know at this club we need competition for places, we have some top centre-backs at this club so I think we’re all good from now until the end of the season.”

Manchester United next game is the League Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest, for which they already hold a 3-0 advantage after an excellent performance in the first leg.

With that in mind, it will be interesting to see if Ten Hag gives Maguire his first two consecutive starts since August.

READ MORE: Liverpool linked to Man Utd cast-off with two free agent signings tipped to empower late-season charge