That iconic injury-time winner against Olympique Lyonnais in the Europa League last season cemented Harry Maguire’s place in Manchester United’s folklore.
He had earned Ruben Amorim’s trust with his displays, both at the back and even up top, and started in almost 70 per cent of the games under the head coach.
This season, however, the Portuguese tactician has turned to Leny Yoro more frequently instead, with the former skipper starting only twice in the Premier League.
That has naturally led to rumours of an impending exit, with Saudi Pro League sides circling around the centre-back, whose contract expires next summer. He is free to discuss a potential exit from January with clubs outside England.
Saudi clubs chasing Harry Maguire
However, the former Sporting CP boss is reluctant to lose the Englishman’s experience, and as relayed by The Peoples Person, the club have opened talks over a new deal.
And as per The Manchester Evening News, should the club offer him a new deal, the 32-year-old is prepared to snub Saudi advances in favour of staying at Old Trafford, provided the conditions are right.
This new contract is likely to be his last at the top level, and with the likes of Al-Nassr and Al-Ettifaq prepared to pay him £500k-a-week, Harry Maguire will want to ensure both he and United are on the same page.
He is unlikely to accept a wage reduction, and he will also want to remain central to the head coach’s plans. And both make sense.
“Harry Maguire is ready to snub huge contract offers from Saudi Arabia if Manchester United offer him a new deal.
“England international Maguire is out of contract in June at Old Trafford and has become a target of Saudi outfits Al-Nassr and Al-Ettifaq. A move to the former would see him link up with ex-United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.
Maguire prepared to stay provided the “terms are right”
“Maguire, 33 in March, is free to open talks with potential new clubs in January. And a move to Saudi could see him land a deal worth around £500k-a-week. Given it is likely to be the final lucrative move of his career, such an offer isn’t without its temptations.
“But United are considering handing the defender a contract extension. Talks will take place in the coming weeks. However, Maguire – who was ruthlessly dumped and stripped of the United captaincy by former boss Erik ten Hag – will want assurances the deal is right for him.
“If he pledges his future to United, he wants to know he will remain an integral part of the club’s plans, whoever is the manager.”
Now for INEOS to close the deal. Irrespective of whether Maguire stays, United will need a faster, more agile presence at the back moving forward.
Feature image Gareth Copley via Getty Images
The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Ayantan Chowdhury
After failing to become a professional footballer, Ayantan switched to the next best thing: writing about the greatest football club in the world. He has extensive sports journalism experience, having worked for over 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
