£200k-p/w star ‘loving’ life away from Old Trafford

Manchester United and England centre-back Harry Maguire is “loving” being in a different environment on World Cup duty, rather than that of Erik ten Hag’s squad at Old Trafford, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The 29-year-old has played in all three of Gareth Southgate’s side’s World Cup fixtures so far.

Man Utd transfer news – Harry Maguire

As per The Guardian, Manchester United will consider offers for Maguire at the end of the season, with the centre-back having not started a Premier League fixture since the Red Devils’ 4-0 loss at Brentford in August, according to Transfermarkt.

The same source says that the former Leicester City man has made 153 appearances for the Old Trafford club since making his £80m move from the East Midlands in 2019 (via BBC Sport), and has produced seven goals and five assists in that time.

However, despite being dropped from the United starting lineup, Southgate still picked the influential defender in his Three Lions squad to take to the World Cup in Qatar this year, with the national team manager still trusting him enough to select him regularly.

And Jones believes that Maguire is enjoying life without having to listen to outside influences inside the England camp, something which he might not get when back in Manchester after the tournament.

What has Jones said about Maguire?

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “The problem Maguire has got is, right now for England, he’s playing on the left side of the defence.

“He’s in a confined environment without outside influences and he’s loving it, that’s perfect for him.

“I’m not sure he’s going to get either of those situations again when he goes back to Manchester United and that’s probably the one thing standing in his way.”

What next for Maguire and Man Utd?

In terms of Manchester United’s transfer targets for their defence, the club have been rumoured to be interested in the services of Napoli and South Korea centre-back Kim min-jae, with Football Transfers writer Carlo Garganese previously telling GIVEMESPORT: “I know they’ve been scouting him.”

But for Maguire, who reportedly earns £200k-per-week at Old Trafford according to Salary Sport, will want to continue to focus on England’s campaign in Qatar, with his priority likely to be to keep himself in that defence and play a part in England winning their second World Cup title.

As per SofaScore, the experienced defender is enjoying a fine tournament so far, stumping up an average rating of 7.37 for his performances in the World Cup as of now, and the defender will be hoping to put in another dominant performance in Sunday’s last 16 clash with Senegal.

Having already helped England to a World Cup semi-final and a Euros final in the past, Maguire will be aiming to be part of a squad that goes one better this winter, and return to Manchester United with his stock high ahead of both the January and summer transfer windows.

News Now – Sport News