How Harry Maguire affects Manchester United's six centre-backs

Manchester United are claimed to have agreed a fee with Leicester to sign Harry Maguire, The Sun report. The reported fee will total £80 million.

If the move comes off, he will be United’s first defensive signing since 2017.

Maguire is not signing to sit on the bench, so how does his reported move affect United’s current centre-backs?

We took a look at what could be in store for all six…

Swedish star Lindelöf is expected to become Maguire’s regular partner. He took a huge step forward in 2018/19.

At just 24, along with 26-year-old Maguire, they can forge a long-term partnership at Old Trafford.

He can also benefit from Maguire’s leadership qualities and further improve his own game.

Signing Maguire is a blow to Eric Bailly, but one he can’t really complain about.

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His injury problems have shown United can’t rely on him, and he must now try to force his way in.

Bailly will get chances, and as long as he is happy being used as a rotational option, he can still have a lengthy career at United.

It could nearly be time up for Smalling, but don’t expect to see him move on this summer.

Smalling is a solid squad player who Ole Gunnar Solskjaer likes, at least for now.

Maguire’s arrival would suggest this could be his final season at United.

Jones could be hardest hit by Maguire’s signing.

Already on the fringes, his chances of first team football are severely dented.

It would be in both his interests and United’s to push to offload Jones this summer.

Tuanzebe impressed against Perth and United need to give the young prospect first team chances.

There is a chance though, that Maguire’s arrival would see Tuanzebe sent out on loan again.

The argument against this is to offload Jones or Smalling instead, and persuade Tuanzebe to stay by promising Europa League opportunities.

This has to be the end for Marcos Rojo. If only it were that easy.

Rojo’s high wages makes it difficult to offload him, but surely we can find a club in China to sell him to?

United could force the issue by refusing to register him in the Premier League squad and making him push for an exit.

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