Football

Club expect West Ham to make a move for their £80m captain Moyes likes

Manchester United are expecting Premier League rivals West Ham to make a move for Harry Maguire with the England international no longer a regular starter under Erik ten Hag. 

You can say that again.

In fact, when all of Ten Hag’s defensive options are fit and available, you could argue that Harry Maguire is now Manchester United’s third choice for both the right-sided and left-sided centre-half positions. 

Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are firmly established as the Dutchman’s preferred partnership, while both Victor Lindelof and the ever-improving Luke Shaw have also moved above Maguire in the pecking order. 

Harry Maguire
Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

So while ESPN reports that United are not exactly forcing Maguire out the door – Ten Hag believes he could still be a useful squad option – neither will they stand in the England international’s way if he opts to pursue a fresh start. 

West Ham could rescue Harry Maguire from Man United nightmare

“He trains always on best levels, with 100 per cent effort,” Ten Hag tells The Times. “So he handles that situation well. And, in his captaincy, he’s important for the squad. 

“But he has high competition there with Raphael Varane, who’s fantastic. Let’s say I’m happy he’s here and, when we needed him, he did his job.

“But it’s also a decision he has to make.”

Maguire made just eight Premier League starts in 2022/23.

Tottenham and Newcastle have both been linked, while ESPN believe that United are expecting West Ham to make a move of their own. Hammers boss David Moyes admitted to keeping tabs on the then-Sheffield United youngster during his short-lived spell in the Old Trafford dugout a decade ago. 

“We didn’t try to sign him,” Moyes explained. “But we flagged him up at that time.

“He played against Preston North End at home in a league game. I watched him and thought he played really well. (But) Harry Maguire has had to go on his journey. Sometimes the players need the journey to get to where they have to go.

“He might have struggled then (at United).” 

Maguire possesses many of the attributes Moyes looks for in a centre-half. Experience, physicality, a strong aerial presence.

He certainly fits Moyes’ more simplified system better than he does Ten Hag’s; centre-halves at Old Trafford expected these days to push high and take responsibility for starting attacks with line-breaking passes. 

Manchester United v Newcastle United - Carabao Cup Final
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

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