The Athletic’s David Ornstein has given an update on the future of Manchester United and England defender Harry Maguire who has been subject to a bid from West Ham.
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Ornstein Gives Update on Hammers Bid For Harry Maguire
Maguire Falls Out of Favour At Old Trafford
Manchester United made Maguire the world’s most expensive defender when they spent £80 million on the England international in 2019. Since joining from Leicester, the 30-year-old centre-half has made 175 appearances for the Red Devils.
Ole Gunnar Solkjaer was quick to make his new defender a leader at Old Trafford, and within six months, Maguire was the club’s captain, following in the footsteps of Bryan Robson, Roy Keane and Nemanja Vidic – to name just a few of the greats to wear the armband.
Once described by former Liverpool defender Jaime Carragher as “cultured, courageous and likeable“, the England defender could do no wrong as he helped guide England to the European Championship final in 2021.
However, since the arrival of Erik ten Hag on the red side of Manchester, the former Leicester man has seen his reputation as a player and leader crumble.
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Once considered one of United’s first names on the team sheet, he has fallen behind the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, and Victor Lindelof in the heart of the Dutchman’s defence – making just eight Premier League starts last season.
Finally, Maguire was stripped of the captaincy ahead of the new season and replaced by Bruno Fernandes, leaving the England man’s future at United in jeopardy.
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Ornstein Reveals Rejected West Ham Bid
The Hammers may be flush with cash following the sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal, but the East London club are not looking at throwing the money around.
Ornstein has revealed that David Moyes’ side placed a £20 million bid for Maguire, which was rejected by the Old Trafford side. Despite Moyes being “keen” on bringing the 30-year-old to London, the Hammers appear reluctant to bid again.
Maguire is said to want to stay and fight for his place under Ten Hag, and his wages are “also an issue”, according to Ornstein. Earning just under 190K-a-week, and a desire to”fight” for his place, means the Hammers are “unlikely” to “push again” for the defender.
