Manchester United have reportedly made Harry Maguire aware that they will be showing him the exit door in a brutal January axing.
United’s season has had its ups and downs to this point. Indeed, the Reds got off to a poor start, losing 4-0 to Brentford and then 2-1 to Brighton in their first two games.
A start like that would have been the last thing Erik ten Hag wanted with his new club. However, a four-match winning streak that included the scalps of Liverpool and Arsenal followed.
At present, United find themselves fifth in the Premier League, with a game in hand over fourth-placed Tottenham.
Ten Hag has been no stranger to making big calls during his as yet short time at the helm at Old Trafford. After Cristiano Ronaldo refused to come on in a 2-0 win against Tottenham, the manager dropped him from the squad.
He also made the big decision to drop captain Maguire just two games into the campaign.
The Englishman has started just four games this season, one of which coming due to Raphael Varane suffering an injury.
The following game, he was relegated to the bench again, with Victor Lindelof being preferred to deputise for the Frenchman.
Ten Hag ready to axe Maguire
Indeed, it seems that Maguire has fallen way down the pecking order, with three centre-backs now ahead of him.
That is a massive fall from grace for an £80million transfer, and last season’s captain.
Things may be about to go from bad to worse for the Englishman. Rudy Galetti reports that United could cut ties with Maguire as soon as January.
The report states they ‘could say goodbye’ to the centre-back in the upcoming transfer window. The Red Devils have also ‘communicated’ their decision with the defender.
It also suggests he will be allowed to leave for as little as €30million (approx £26million).
Maguire in tough spot
Indeed, that fee seems a low one for a player who United shelled so much on. However, he has clearly struggled for form since before this season.
With that being said, it does not seem a bad idea for United to sell up for that.
There would likely be clubs jumping to give him a chance at redemption in the Premier League. Galetti’s report states that his former side Leicester City are among the clubs ‘ready to join forces’ with Maguire.
A move to a side who are currently mid-table would certainly take some pressure off the centre-back. There are apparently another two Premier League sides also keen on him.
In any case, the decision for United to apparently want to axe him is not too surprising.
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