According to reports, Harry Maguire worries he will have to leave Manchester United this summer in order to keep his starting position for England at Euro 2024.
The middle of the defense now features an impressive partnership between Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez, pushing the Red Devils’ captain down the pecking order at Old Trafford.
Maguire has recently been able to play more frequently due to injuries to Varane and Martinez, but he was suspended for the FA Cup semi-final match against Brighton and Hove Albion and then missed out against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Thursday due to injury.
Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof once more started in the middle of the defense as Harry Maguire made his comeback against Aston Villa on Sunday, where he only stayed on the bench.
The 30-year-old is reportedly Man United’s fifth-choice central defender right now, and a summer transfer has been heavily rumored for him.
Maguire wants to stay at Manchester United and compete for a starting position, but he is concerned that, should England qualify for the tournament, his lack of action could cost him a spot in the starting lineup for Euro 2024.
Gareth Southgate, the head coach of the Three Lions, has continued to support the former Sheffield United player, but if he again struggles to find playing time next season, it might be difficult to start him then.
According to the report, Maguire was coveted by West Ham United, Inter Milan, and Roma in January. When the summer transfer window opens, those three teams may rekindle their interest in the player.
Man United aren’t reportedly actively looking to sell him right now, but they are reportedly eager to sign another center-back, which would probably result in the Englishman leaving the team.
Although it has been reported that Leicester City is also interested in their former player, he would need to be willing to accept a pay cut from his current salary of £190,000.
For the Red Devils during the 2022–23 season, the defender has made 28 appearances, only 13 of which have been in the Premier League.
Varane might be able to play in the FA Cup final at the beginning of June, and Martinez is anticipated to be healthy for the start of the upcoming season, so Maguire’s future in the starting lineup is unclear.
The Englishman cost a significant amount of money to move from Leicester to Old Trafford in the summer of 2019. He has played 172 times for the team, contributing five assists and seven goals.
The 20-time English champions have an expiration date of June 2025 on Maguire’s current contract.
