Ten Hag tells Harry Maguire his true verdict on Man Utd future and outcome he ‘does not want’

Erik ten Hag has informed Harry Maguire that he actually wants the defender to stay at Man Utd this summer despite stripping him of the club captaincy, it has now been claimed.

Maguire was recently removed from his role as Man Utd captain in what may have been perceived as a clue that his future would lie away from the club. After all, the centre-back has fallen down the pecking order since Ten Hag became his manager.

Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are preferred as Ten Hag’s ideal centre-back partnership. Man Utd may even be in the market for another central defender this summer to relegate Maguire further in the hierarchy.

It has led to an awkward situation in which his status as club captain has become untenable. In turn, his future as a Man Utd player has been called into question.

West Ham have been the most frequently linked suitor for Maguire. However, reports recently suggested he would want paying off by Man Utd before being sold, in acknowledgement of the wage cut he would have to accept at his new club.

The threat if not would be that Maguire would have no issue with sitting out the remaining two years of his contract.

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But in the latest twist, it has now emerged that Man Utd might actually still have a plan for the England international after all. According to talkSPORT, Ten Hag has told Maguire that he ‘does not want him to leave’ the club yet.

The manager still has an ‘amicable’ relationship with the player, it is claimed. Therefore, Maguire is ‘relaxed’ about his future – even if he has not yet made a ‘final decision’ about whether to fight for his place or leave.

Several options remain for Harry Maguire

If Maguire does yet decide to pursue a new challenge, it could be with West Ham, another Premier League side, or someone in Serie A.

But Ten Hag has now offered the 30-year-old a glimmer of hope that he will get the chance to add to his 175 appearances for Man Utd.

Maguire has played for Man Utd since 2019, when he became the most expensive defender in history upon his departure from Leicester City.

He initially performed well at Old Trafford, soon earning the captaincy. However, that became something of a burden for him, while scrutiny remained high due to his price tag.

Perhaps without the pressure of the captaincy – which has been inherited by Bruno Fernandes, the club have just announced – Maguire will be able to focus more clearly on improving his performances.

Ahead of Euro 2024, the upcoming season will be important for a player who still has the trust of Gareth Southgate at international level. It appears Ten Hag thinks he is capable of performing for his club side too, though only time will tell how many opportunities Maguire gets if he stays at Old Trafford and someone else comes in.

Meanwhile, further forward, Man Utd have reportedly entered the battle to sign Federico Chiesa from Juventus.