Manchester United are planning to offer a shock contract extension to a player who Ruben Amorim appreciates highly in his squad.
Manchester United completed five signings in the summer transfer window, with Senne Lammens being the final addition on deadline day.
He followed on from Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Diego Leon and Benjamin Šeško. United spend just over £200 million on their signings.
Several players also departed the club, with the likes of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho moving onto new clubs.
Harry Maguire was also attracting interest from clubs this summer but the experienced defender opted to reject those proposals to stay at Old Trafford.
United planning to offer shock contract extension to “brilliant” star
According to a report from TeamTalk, there is ‘growing belief’ inside Old Trafford that Maguire could be handed another contract extension this season. Maguire’s current deal expires next summer after the club extended his deal by 12 months last term.
The report explained that Ruben Amorim is a huge admirer of the 32-year-old, valuing his reliability and presence in the dressing room as “crucial” during a period of transition.
Amorim is keen for Maguire, labelled as “brilliant” to continue being part of his squad going forward and it was added that Maguire is also ‘determined’ to stay at Old Trafford.
Importantly, the defender is also said to be ‘open minded’ about the terms of a potential new deal, which suggests he could accept a lower wage than he’s currently on.
With Maguire currently earning just under £200,000-a-week, with bonuses included, he would likely need to accept a pay-cut to extend his stay at Old Trafford and he seems prepared to do that.
Maguire’s experience is useful with INEOS’ strategy
INEOS have had a clear transfer strategy since their arrival, with the signing of older and experienced players seemingly now something of the past.
There have been no players signed over the age of 26 since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s team took charge a couple of years ago. Noussair Mazraoui and Cunha, both 26 at the time of their arrivals, have been United’s oldest signings.
Alongside this, you still need some experienced heads in the dressing room and Maguire is certainly one of them. Even if he isn’t playing consistently, the defender still can offer things off the pitch.
Not many have dealt with the level of scrutiny he has had to over his career and he will have invaluable advice for the younger players in the dressing room when they go through their own difficulties.
Seeing the England international sign an extension at Old Trafford would not be surprising, and it seems like a smart piece of business considering INEOS will not be focused on adding experience to this squad anytime soon.
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