Manchester United have been very firm in telling all interested parties that one of Rúben Amorim’s key players is not leaving this summer.
Manchester United have a very strong defensive lineup this season, despite making just one new addition in the summer, with Diego Leon joining from Paraguay.
Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Luke Shaw started in United’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Old Trafford and looked very comfortable, with the only mishap coming from Altay Bayindir for the set-piece goal.
The three starters could be very difficult to displace in the back three for the time being, but Harry Maguire is one of the few fully fit central defenders who could come into the side.
While he was named on the bench, Ayden Heaven didn’t feature against Arsenal after picking up an injury in David de Gea’s farewell game, and Noussair Mazraoui hasn’t played for United since the first game of pre-season against Leeds United.
Tyler Fredricson was also named on the bench for the Arsenal match, but hasn’t played much in pre-season with more senior players ahead of him. Lisandro Martínez remains on the sidelines but is nearing a return soon.
Maguire reveals he “can’t leave” United
In an interview with ESPN, Maguire revealed that United told all clubs that he “can’t leave on any terms” after multiple approaches this summer.
“I think there were a couple of clubs who maybe enquired or spoke with them [United] and I think they got a quick response,” said the England international.
“I’m pretty sure the club have made it aware this summer that I can’t leave on any terms with other clubs enquiring about things and my position with my contract.
“We’re in a good place, positive as a club, and I feel like the hierarchy has come in and Jason [Wilcox] and the manager, I feel like they’re taking it in the right direction.”
Maguire added: “I think it’s been, since I started six years ago, to where it is now, it’s in a completely different place in terms of the structure behind the management staff.”
Maguire prefers to stay at Old Trafford
In the same interview, Maguire suggested that he would prefer to stay at United for the following years, but he made sure not to give too much away.
“Last year, the clause was in their hands, so there was no option for me there. There was no talking. It was just they activated it, and it got extended. This year, obviously, I’m up at the end of the year.
“I’m sure over the next few months they’ll sit down and we’ll have to have a conversation about where we want to go and if they want to extend or obviously the transfer window will open again in January.”
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“I have something in my mind about what I want to do and what I want to be. I don’t want to put it out there to everybody but it’s an amazing club to play for and you’d be silly if you wanted to jump out of it as soon as you could.”
Maguire has proven he can be a vital asset for Amorim – with the goal against Olympique Lyonnais being the best example – but he could struggle if asked to step into midfield, as de Ligt was against Arsenal.
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