Manchester United’s dressing room has made its feelings clear regarding a certain teammate’s uncertain future at Old Trafford.
As we are coming towards the business end of the season, fans are already looking ahead to the next transfer window and the new set of players who will be brought in to try return Manchester United to the glory days, fighting for the Premier League title.
Michael Carrick has provided hope and potentially a more attractive club for players if he is able to secure Champions League football, but there is still a lot of football to be played before United can think about playing in Europe for definite.
However, bringing in new players means certain individuals have to depart to evolve the squad and push the side to the next level. It is a tough process, especially if the player has been a solid servant to the club for many seasons, but it is the cutthroat journey of a footballer.
Whether a player should be given more time at United divides fans, pundits and the players, especially when they have had such a large impact on the team for multiple seasons, and one especially divisive player has received the support of his dressing room.
Maguire’s contract set to expire
Harry Maguire’s career at Old Trafford has been turbulent to say the least, ever since making the switch from Leicester all the way back in 2019. His nearly seven-year span in Manchester has seen plenty of ups and downs, from being stripped of the captaincy to sending United to the Europa League final just last season.
Now, Maguire is facing an expiring contract and huge uncertainty about whether he will be playing for United next season. However, recent good form under both Ruben Amorim and Carrick has seen him become a key figure in the squad and gain the support of his teammates and fans.
According to The Sun, a source from inside the dressing room said: “The players think it would be madness if he were not offered a new deal. Harry has endured plenty of ups and downs at United, but has come through all that and is playing really well.”
“He’s very well-respected in the dressing room and is passing on a lot of knowledge to some of the younger players like Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro. Everyone likes him and respects him, and the majority of the players want the club to give him a deal.”
The 32-year-old defender has shown he is a valuable asset to the squad over the last few months, but it is yet to be seen whether he can be a player who allows United to reach the higher levels fans want and not hold the side back.
Should Maguire receive a new deal?
Maguire is likely to be offered a lower weekly wage if he is offered a new deal at the club, but with a higher amount of performance bonuses for when he does play. It is a deal that, if done correctly, could benefit both the player, the club and teammates in the dressing room
He is a defender who can mentor and guide the younger players in the squad, as he already has good relationships with players such as Yoro and Heavan, who would benefit greatly from having a top professional like Maguire to get advice from.
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However, he is not getting any younger, so a short-term deal may be the way to go, as it is likely he will play fewer and fewer minutes as he gets deeper into his career.
Overall, Maguire is a player who has shown good and bad qualities in a United shirt, but it is clear he is not a player who will take the club to the next level. But I do believe keeping him in for a season or two could benefit the development of younger players and aid the transition period the club is currently going through.
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