c breaks silence on West Ham interest and shuts down major theory; lays out future Man Utd plans

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has tried to put an end to reports that he was close to joining West Ham in the summer, while also detailing his future plans at Old Trafford.

Maguire was highly projected to quit Manchester United over the summer, and speculation intensified when it was revealed that Erik ten Hag had stripped him of the leadership and given it to Bruno Fernandes. As a result, the centre-back has been linked with moves to West Ham, Newcastle, Aston Villa, and Everton.

West Ham United appear to have pushed the hardest to conclude a transfer, with Irons manager David Moyes said to be a great fan of Maguire.

West Ham then had a £30 million proposal accepted for the Englishman, allowing them to begin contract negotiations with him and his representation. However, the trade was called off after multiple sources indicated Maguire did not want to join West Ham, preferring to stay at Manchester United.

Maguire eventually returned to Manchester and is hoping to reclaim his place in Ten Hag’s starting lineup. Maguire has made four appearances in all competitions this season, although just two of those appearances have lasted the full 90 minutes.

Despite his problems at club level, the 30-year-old has been called up to the England side for the forthcoming matches against Australia and Italy. While on international duty, Maguire was asked how close the proposed West Ham move was to being completed.

Maguire eventually returned to Manchester and hopes to restore his starting spot in Ten Hag’s team. Maguire has played four games in all competitions this season, but only two of them have lasted the full 90 minutes.

Despite his club issues, the 30-year-old has been called up to the England squad for the upcoming matches against Australia and Italy. Maguire was asked how close the prospective West Ham deal was to being finalised while on international duty.

 

 

Maguire went on to say that the talks were not as far along as many believed, which is why he is still on Manchester United’s books. He has guaranteed his future to the Red Devils if he is given more playing time under Ten Hag.

“Regular game time is really important to me, and it has been throughout my career,” he explained (via Sports Mole). “The opportunity to go to West Ham was not really agreed upon between both clubs and myself.” So it wasn’t simply my opportunity to say, “Yes, and I’m going.”

Transfer to West Ham ‘wasn’t agreed upon,’ according to Harry Maguire.
“Because it wasn’t agreed upon by both clubs, the actual opportunity didn’t exist because we didn’t pursue it far enough.”

“However, West Ham is a massive club.” But, as I previously stated, my whole emphasis remains on Manchester United; I want to compete for my place, but regular game time is also very essential to me.”

Maguire appears to be determined to return to his best at Manchester United. However, if Ten Hag continues to prioritize Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, and Victor Lindelof over him, a move away from Manchester United in 2024 may become a possibility.

Martinez’s reoccurring foot problem, which has sidelined him till the new year, has recently pushed Maguire up the pecking order. Ten Hag, on the other hand, favours Varane and Lindelof over Maguire because they are more mobile and better at playing out from the back.

Meanwhile, one of Maguire’s Manchester United teammates has unexpectedly revealed that he is the ‘wrong type of player’ for Ten Hag, paving the way for a possible sale.