How Man Utd star’s ‘exceptional’ form has prompted INEOS to end pursuit of £70m target this year

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·15. Januar 2025

How Man Utd star’s ‘exceptional’ form has prompted INEOS to end pursuit of £70m target this year

One Manchester United star’s resurgent showings have prompted INEOS to end their pursuit of a longstanding transfer target.

Indeed, Harry Maguire is the Red in question, as he’s enjoyed a superb run of form even amidst such a turbulent period for the club.

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The centre-half has been given a new lease of life after Amorim’s newly implemented 3-4-3 system, which the boss admitted early into his tenure that Maguire was ‘perfect’ for.

“Maguire is perfect when you play with three defenders,” Amorim told reporters after his first Manchester derby victory. “He is perfect in the middle. All the guys defended very well, not just Harry. They were very focused.”

His opinion has certainly reflected on the pitch, too, as the England international has started each of the last five Premier League matches, as well as Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Arsenal.

How Maguire has courageously played his way into Amorim’s plans

Harry Maguire has been a bright spark for Ruben Amorim since he took the reins. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

In the gritty Emirates clash, Maguire was 100 per cent successful in winning both his take-ons and aerial duels, as well as 75 per cent successful in winning his ground duels. He made 11 clearances, five blocks and four recoveries while not being dribbled past once in his 104 minutes played.

Such a stellar showing led to Rich Fay hailing the 31-year-old as ‘exceptional’, and you’d struggle to find many that could disagree with the sentiment.

It was confirmed at the beginning of January that United would be activating the one-year option in Maguire’s deal, ensuring he stays in Amorim’s ranks until at least the end of 2025/2026. That wasn’t always the plan, though, as the Daily Mail has revealed that the expectation last year was that he would depart with the other soon-to-be-free agents this summer.

“Maguire was expected to leave Old Trafford as a free agent along with Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans in June, forcing United to make another big signing in central defence a year after forking out £59million to Lille for Leny Yoro,” Mail’s Confidential column states.

“Confidential understands that the club will look at a younger centre-back with potential rather than pay big money for a ready-made replacement like Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, who would have cost around £70million and £160,000 a week in wages.

“That will enable United to re-direct their limited transfer funds to other areas of the team at a time when money is tight at Old Trafford. Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez and Yoro are set to continue as United’s pool of centre-backs with Noussair Mazraoui and Luke Shaw – if he stays – both able to play in the back-three.”