- Manchester United rejected a £20 million bid from West Ham for Harry Maguire due to the player’s high wage demands
- Despite losing the captaincy to Bruno Fernandes, Maguire wants to stay at Manchester United and compete for a starting spot among the team’s center-backs
- Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag emphasized the need for competition in the squad and praised Maguire’s talent and role as a center-back
Manchester United have turned down a £20 million bid from West Ham for Harry Maguire.
The Hammers are unlikely to pursue the move further due to Maguire’s wage demands, according to The Athletic. He currently earns around £190,000 per week.
Despite being replaced as United captain this week by Bruno Fernandes, the centre-back wants to stay and fight for his place, according to the Daily Mail.
Maguire is competing with Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, and Victor Lindelof for a spot as one of the team’s two starting centre-backs.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag explained his decision to remove Maguire’s captaincy:
I think everyone can understand that for a player it’s a disappointment, but it can work out very well for the team and for Harry.
He’s a significant player. We need at least four center backs. As you can see from last season, we played a lot of games, and we are thrilled to have Harry in our squad.
We require more than 11 players. We need the competition so he can compete for a spot on the team. He has talent, and it is up to him to secure his position. We can now concentrate on his role. A center back must be able to communicate and organize. It’s a large area where you have to perform as a center half, and there is prevention that you must implement.
Maguire has been heavily chastised by fans since joining United for £80 million from Leicester City in 2019.
Ten Hag released him following Martinez’s arrival last summer. However, he has retained his international starting spot under Gareth Southgate.
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