Harry Maguire is set to receive a huge £10million pay-off from Manchester United if he leaves the club this summer, according to reports.
The United’s skipper has fallen down the pecking order this campaign and looks unlikely to be capable of breaking the Dutchman’s defensive partnership of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.
Maguire has started only 16 games in all competitions this season and again looks likely to be benched on Saturday when the Red Devils play Manchester City at Wembley in the FA Cup final.
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According to the Daily Mail, Maguire isn’t being forced out by Ten Hag, but United are ready to sweeten his exit by paying the rest of his £190,000-per-week contract, which has two years to run, and make up the deficit if he earn less at his next club.
Ten Hag values Maguire and wants to retain him as part of his team next season, but appreciates that with Euro 2024 on the horizon, the defender needs regular football in order to retain his place in Gareth Southgate’s set-up.
Speaking about his future after Fulham win, Maguire said he was delighted with the progress United have made during Ten Hag’s first 12 months incharge of the club but admitted frustration at a lack of playing chances.
He said: ‘The season is not finished yet, but up to now, it’s been a positive season from where we were and I must say we’re making progress. It’s been a big improvement and it’s a step in the right direction,’ Maguire said.
‘Securing Champions League football, it’s a brilliant season in the Premier League, especially at Old Trafford. It’s been an amazing season at Old Trafford and obviously, our away form is something we’ve got to improve on.
‘If we do so, we’ll progress again next season. We’ve made giant steps and I think that’s important. We’ve worked on the philosophy the manager is trying to bring in and I think of course, over pre-season, we’ll work again and push ourselves.
‘We’ll set high demands and we’ve got to look at this season and what we’ve done. For me, I think it’s been great from the boys and there have been lots of individual, amazing performances but it’s not done yet.
‘Yeah of course [asking if he would like to start more]. Listen, we have a lot of competition for places and that’s what a big club needs. Lots of strength in depth. I think you’ve seen today, after 20 minutes, it was a really positive performance.
‘[We had] lads who stepped in, lads who haven’t played as much and I think the manager and his staff can rely upon us and know that, if he makes changes, we can do the job, so it’s good to be part of this squad.
‘I think if we’re going to be successful this season and next season and the season after, we’re going to need a big squad.’
