Maguire needs to get away from United… and fast

SAY what you like about Harry Maguire’s football, but his strength of character is not in doubt. Will he, therefore, have the courage to make the biggest call of his career and leave Manchester United? Maguire played well at the World Cup, which was quite something given his lack of football beforehand. But he has returned to Old Trafford to find life unchanged.

United manager Erik ten Hag does not hugely rate Maguire, to the extent he would rather play left back Luke Shaw in his position. Maguire’s instinct will be to fight, but some fights cannot be won and this may be one of them. Maguire is 30 in March and time slips away quickly from that point. At the moment, he is the captain of his club trying to get back in the team. But how long before he wakes up to find himself recast as Phil Jones?