Harry Maguire is a pillar of Man United's defense after Matthijs de Ligt's long-term injury, which may not be able to return in time for the Premier League finals. The impressive form of the 33-year-old center-back has helped him be called up to the England national team by Thomas Tuchel for the FIFA Days in March.
This is also the first time since September 2024 that Maguire has reunited with the "Three Lions". If he continues to play stably, it is possible that the Man United star will be included in the list to participate in the 2026 World Cup.
Maguire's contract will expire this summer, meaning he has been able to freely negotiate with other clubs since 2 months ago. Up to 4 teams in Serie A, 3 Premier League teams and 1 Super Lig team have expressed their desire to have Maguire but he has not yet agreed. The former Man United captain wants to stay with the Old Trafford club but he alone will not be able to decide this.
On Man United's side, in addition to considering Maguire's salary, the club's leadership must also consider the development direction of this veteran center-back with the club's strategy in the next stage.
On Maguire's side, he has become wiser in every appearance. Only when doctors conclude that his fitness is 100% guaranteed will this center-back play. Maguire is no longer as overweight as before to avoid imperfect matches. He also tries to cherish opportunities when he is returned to play as a central defender pair in Michael Carrick's 4-2-3-1 formation, instead of 3-4-3 previously built by Ruben Amorim.
The next match he plays will mark Maguire's 600th professional debut. He has played for Sheffield United (166 matches), Hull City (75), Wigan Athletic (16 matches on loan) and Leicester City (76), before moving to Manchester United in the summer of 2019 (266 matches so far).
Next season, Maguire will turn 34 and it is difficult to guarantee the intensity of playing more than 50 matches/season of Man United when the team is firmly holding a Champions League ticket in hand. Man United's recruitment of both Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven shows the determination to rejuvenate the squad from Ruben Amorim's time. If Maguire is still there, the chances of one of these two young stars, or even both, will also decrease, especially when Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt are still there.
Man United fans mostly still love Maguire for his professionalism, dedication and the ability to connect with the dressing room too well. However, looking at the longer road ahead, a 34-year-old center-back cannot be considered the future of the club.
There are still cases of letting Maguire stay when he agrees to reduce his salary, even a very deep reduction. If Man United returns to the Champions League, Maguire's salary will be fully received at over 300,000 pounds/week. This is a figure Man United will never accept, so Maguire will have to reduce it, possibly only over 100,000 pounds/week.
The way to harmonize for both sides and be supported by fans is for the player to reduce his salary and for the team to sign an extension for another year. Maguire's value is still very high and if he plays well at the 2026 World Cup, Man United will not feel disappointed.
