Manchester United‘s purchase of Leicester City defender Harry Maguire made him the world’s most expensive defender in 2019. But that was the pinnacle of his form. After that, his form has just gone down. After Ten Hag’s arrival, his duty has become limited to the substitute role.
But recent reports are suggesting more uncertainty for the former Manchester United defender’s club career. Ten Hag is looking for a brutal clear-out next summer to free up space for the new signings.
After Erik Ten Hag took over the managerial position at Old Trafford, the Dutch manager prefers Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane in his starting line-up. Maguire just appears as a substitute, or whenever other defenders miss the game due to injury.
But the British defender is still the most expensive defender after joining the Red Devils for £80million in 2019. He has struggled to justify his price tag over the past 18 months. The defender is far from his Leicester self.
Manchester United Will Try to Freshen up the Squad
Now, it looks like Ten Hag will become ruthless to sell the defender permanently to any other club. His selection over Tomori in England’s 26-Man World Cup squad is also heavily criticised.
According to The Guardian, United is willing to accept any offer for the 29-year-old this summer. They made a report that Ten Hag is ‘intent on selling’ the struggling United defender.
The club is even ready to take a considerable loss to free up the wage bill of the expensive Manchester United squad. The defender is earning a salary of £190,000 per week from his six-year United contract.
In his limited appearances this season, Ten Hag has observed Maguire’s sluggish pace as a ‘problem’. The Dutch manager is looking to add ‘true competition’ to his first-choice defenders Varane and Martinez. He is focussing on enhancing the quality of his defensive options.
But Maguire will not reportedly be the only victim of Ten Hag’s ruthless clear-out. Brazilian midfielder Fred will also face the same fate, as his contract will expire at the end of the season.
The club has the option of extending the midfielder’s contract for one more year. Even though Fred has impressed his manager, the Manchester United boss is looking to freshen up all the midfield options.
Both players have received World Cup call-ups. But Gareth Southgate faced a lot of criticism for trusting the United defender. Ten Hag backed the Three Lions defender for the World Cup call-up.
He said: “I think that he is ready. I see him every day at training, I see his games. He came back from injury, but he is ready to perform on the highest level”.
