Manchester United planning to keep Harry Maguire and extend his contract as well | OneFootball

It is well-known at this point that keeping growing PSR concerns in mind, Manchester United will first need to sell players before thinking of recruitment.

New co-owners INEOS are planning a large-scale summer clearout and not even high-profile stars such as Casemiro and Marcus Rashford are safe from the cull.

One area in urgent need of reinforcements is at the back where both Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans’ deals are coming to an end with the club reluctant to keep paying the Frenchman his humongous salary.

Victor Lindelof is also being eyed by Galatasaray among other clubs and the Red Devils are planning to add not one, but two centre-backs to their ranks in the summer.

Maguire’s renaissance

One player who was close to leaving the club last season was Harry Maguire and links with West Ham United have resurfaced once again while even Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a shock move for the former club skipper.

But Football Transfers have now revealed that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has no plans of letting the 31-year-old depart this summer with the new ownership keen to see him mentor the upcoming talents at the club.

Willy Kambwala has already made his first-team debut and is set to earn even more minutes next season while the likes of Harry Amass, Habeeb Ogunneye and Jack Kingdon have all been part of the matchday squads. All of them need a helping hand and the experienced England international can certainly help with their development.

Apart from his mentorship, Maguire has proven himself to Erik ten Hag, who wanted to let him go last summer. Mounting injury concerns saw the Dutchman turn to the former Leicester City star who has not let him down.

From 16 starts last season, the England international is up to 25 starts already this term and he has played through the pain barrier to try and help the team, something the manager has publicly endorsed.

And it seems Maguire has impressed the new co-owners as well who are planning to trigger the one-year extension option in his contract. The centre-back’s current deal lasts until 2025.

“Manchester United will aim to retain the services of Harry Maguire despite suggestions that the former captain is up for sale, FootballTransfers can reveal.

Maguire to stay

“The club are gearing up for a major summer overhaul in the upcoming transfer window, but one player Ineos are keen to keep hold of is the 31-year-old.

“The Red Devils are looking to offload at least ten first-team squad members, but one player they intend to retain is Maguire, who they believe can mentor the array of talented youngsters at the club.

“According to sources, Ineos have initiated discussions over triggering the option on his contract during the first part of next season.”

A complete overhaul is not possible in one or two transfer windows and keeping experienced stars and recruiting young could be the ideal way to refresh the first team and prepare them for future success.

Maguire deserves his plaudits this season. He might not be the long-term answer to the problems plaguing the club but he has done his chances of staying no harm.

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