Man Utd Sporting Director Dan Ashworth Makes First Big Transfer Call

Manchester United are once again prepared to sell England International Harry Maguire after failing to offload him last summer.

Maguire, 31, was in talks to join West Ham a year ago before the £30million transfer deal collapsed. The England international, who’s missing Euro 2024 through injury, had lost the captaincy at United to team-mate Bruno Fernandes and ended the 2022-23 season as fifth-choice in the centre-back pecking order.

Despite his turnaround earning him a new-found respect from supporters, United’s new sporting director, Dan Ashworth, is ready to be ruthless.

Maguire will be out of contract in 12 months’ time and United don’t want to lose someone who they paid £80million for on a free a transfer.

United are keen to sign at least two new central defender in the summer transfer window, with Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Bayern Munich want-away Matthijs de Ligt high on their shortlist. The Red Devils are said to have already agreed personal terms with 22-year-old Branthwaite’s camp while De Ligt is keen on a reunion with Ten Hag, who coached him at Ajax.

Speaking about his failed move to the London Stadium last season, Maguire said: “The actual opportunity to go to West Ham wasn’t agreed really between both clubs and myself. So it wasn’t just my chance to say, Yes and I’m going’. It wasn’t agreed between both clubs so the actual opportunity wasn’t there because we didn’t get far enough down the line with it.

“But West Ham is a massive club. But like I said my full focus is still on Manchester United, I want to fight for my place but of course regular game time is really important to me.”

Speaking about Maguire’s future last term, Ten Hag admitted he was pleased the defender stayed at Old Trafford. He said: “We were always very happy with Harry Maguire, but he wants to play. He’s a great leader, he’s a very good defender and very comfortable on the ball.

“When I count all of those abilities, on our defending line we have problems, he is even more important to lead that line and to make us play from the back. We are very pleased he is there and we need him to get our results and achieve our targets.”