From Scapegoat to leader: Four reasons why Harry Maguire still has a future at Manchester United

Manchester United will soon have to make a major decision on their former club captain Harry Maguire.

Maguire is in the final year of his deal at United, with the club already triggering the one-year extension in 2025.

He will turn 33 in March and INEOS could be tempted to allow him to leave as a free agent.

Having signed for a then-record fee of £80 million from Leicester City in 2019, Maguire has proved to be a solid stalwart of the club.

There is a compelling argument that the England international still has meaningful value to offer as a squad player for at least another two seasons.

Leadership

United have already confirmed that Casemiro will be leaving the club this summer.

Casemiro is a serial winner with an elite mentality, and losing a player of his stature inevitably weakens the internal standards of the squad.

Maguire has quietly re-established himself as a vocal and authoritative presence within the group. Allowing two senior leaders to depart in the same window would place additional pressure on a young core still learning how to cope with expectations and scrutiny.

There is also ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of Bruno Fernandes. If United were to lose Casemiro, Maguire and Fernandes in quick succession, it would represent a dangerous leadership vacuum that could destabilise the dressing room.

Investment required in other areas

The Red Devils are expected to prioritise midfield reinforcements this summer, with at least two new signings planned to refresh the engine room.

A new winger is also high on the agenda as Carrick reshapes the attack to better suit a 4-2-3-1 system.

With significant funds likely to be directed toward these key areas, handing Maguire a short-term extension would be a cost-effective way to preserve experience while focusing spending elsewhere.

Signing an elite defender with immense experience would come at a huge cost.

A penalty-box defender

While modern football increasingly demands ball-playing centre-backs, Maguire still excels as a traditional penalty-box defender.

His aerial strength, positioning and bravery make him a natural asset against direct teams and set-piece-heavy opponents.

In tight Premier League matches, having a specialist defender who thrives under pressure inside the box remains invaluable.

He is also a genuine threat in the opposition area, having scored several crucial late goals for the Red Devils over the years.

Proven character

Few players at Old Trafford have faced the level of criticism and scrutiny that Maguire has endured.

The former Leicester City defender has been subjected to brutal and, at times, personal criticism, yet he has continued to fight back, reset and earn his place through professionalism and resilience.

That mental toughness is exactly the type of character INEOS should want to protect during a rebuild.

Many United players should learn from him when it comes to handling media pressure, hostile narratives and controversial pundit commentary.

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .