TL:DR
- Harry Maguire is attracting interest from three clubs ahead of the January transfer deadline and is reportedly open to a move.
- The defender has had a tumultuous time at Manchester United since joining for £80m in 2019.
- He was stripped of captaincy but revived his career last season with 40 appearances.
- With his contract expiring in summer, clubs like Inter Milan, Napoli, and Fiorentina are considering bids.
- Caretaker manager Michael Carrick’s stance on Maguire’s future remains uncertain.
Man Utd star open to surprise January transfer despite loving Michael Carrick | Football
Three clubs have expressed interest in signing Harry Maguire before the January transfer deadline, and the Manchester United defender is reportedly ‘open’ to a move.
Few players have had more turbulent spells at Old Trafford than Maguire, who joined United in 2019 in an £80m move from Leicester City.
Maguire became the most expensive defender in history at the time and was soon appointed club captain by then-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
But a number of poor performances saw Maguire stripped of that role by Erik ten Hag and replaced by current skipper Bruno Fernandes.
The writing appeared to be on the wall for Maguire, but he somehow managed to revive his Manchester United career and win over many of his critics.
Maguire made 40 appearances for the Red Devils last season, scoring the winner in the remarkable Europa League quarter-final win over Lyon.
The 32-year-old has found regular game-time harder to come by this term, and that is the main reason he is ‘open’ to a January move, according to reports in Italy.
Harry Maguire could leave Old Trafford
The other reason Maguire is being linked with other clubs is the fact he is out of contract in the summer, so this is United’s last chance to secure a fee from his sale.
A number of Italian clubs are believed to be weighing up offers for Maguire, including but not limited to Inter Milan, Napoli, and Fiorentina.
A move to Napoli would see Maguire reunite with Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund and work under ex-Chelsea boss Antonio Conte.
It remains to be seen whether Manchester United sanction Maguire’s departure or if new caretaker manager Michael Carrick has a say in the matter.
Carrick’s return to Old Trafford was confirmed on Tuesday, a little over a week since former United boss Ruben Amorim lost his job.
The ex-England midfielder has had two previous spells in temporary charge of Manchester United and clearly left an impression on Maguire.
Napoli boss Antonio Conte courting Maguire
Speaking after Carrick left his previous role as caretaker manager in 2021, Maguire said: ‘Michael is a really likeable man, all the lads respect him, and he’s been amazing with each and every one of us. We’re going to miss him.’
Carrick’s previous comments suggest he would be reluctant to lose the experienced centre-back this month.
‘I’m so pleased for Harry Maguire,’ Carrick said earlier in the season while working as a pundit. ‘He’s done some really good things for the football club, and he’s been through the mill at times as well.
‘He’s had some unfair times. But he’s come back unbelievably well and turned into a leader and a real talisman.
‘It takes a lot when you’re up against it. There’s no hiding place at a club like Manchester United. It’s fantastic.’
Even if Maguire does leave this month, he will still have made over 250 appearances for the Red Devils, one of the most of any player in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
After drawing with Burnley and losing to Brighton under Darren Fletcher, Carrick’s first game in charge of United will be a Manchester derby against City.