Why Harry Maguire has been pushed closer to a Manchester United exit this week

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Manchester United captain Harry Maguire appears destined to be surplus to requirements at Old Trafford this summer.

Last week Harry Maguire expressed the view he had nothing to prove at the top level, in an interview with The Times while on international duty with England.

He was selected to start both games for the Three Lions during the break. He clearly has an important role for his country, a lot than at Manchester United.

Upon returning to Manchester United, Maguire has reverted to being a back-up, Manchester United’s fourth choice defender.

Harry Maguire pushed closer to exit

Manchester United have played two games since the international break, and across both 90 minutes, Erik ten Hag utilised three centre-backs either from the start or as substitutes.

Harry Maguire was not among them. He has not played a single minute since domestic football resumed.

Victor Lindelof has been preferred as a back-up to Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, used late in games by Erik ten Hag.

Maguire did play 90 minutes in the final game before the break, against Fulham, but looked uncomfortable in that game and received a suspension which ruled him out of the FA Cup semi-final later this month.

Matches against Newcastle and particularly Brentford could have been good match-ups for Maguire, a physical test, which he could combat. However, rightly or wrongly, Erik ten Hag feels he has better options.

Maguire will hope to feature against Everton this weekend, but chances are slim. If he does get minutes, it will be simply down to squad rotation, rather than because he is an important part of Erik ten Hag‘s preferred XI.

In his first ever season at Manchester United in 2019/20, Harry Maguire started all 38 Premier League games.

This season he has started just a paltry five Premier League games, 12 in all competitions.

There could be odd starts here and there between now and the end of the season, but quite simply, Maguire is replaceable.

In 2019 the club paid £80 million to sign Maguire. He remains one of the club’s most expensive ever signings.

United will have to take a big loss on Maguire in terms of a fee. The Sun reported last weekend that former side Leicester could seek to re-sign him on loan.

There will be plenty of interested clubs. Teamtalk named West Ham and Newcastle as among potential landing spots for the centre-back.

Maguire will want to retain his spot in the England team for Euro 2024. His snub at United since the recent international break reinforces his need to leave.