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Manchester United’s plan to sign free agent sends clear message to Harry Maguire
Manchester United could sign Milan Skriniar on a free transfer next summer, in a move that would plunge Harry Maguire's future at the club into doubt.
Wayne Rooney on Harry Maguire's Man Utd form
Manchester United are reportedly eyeing Milan Skriniar as a free agent in next summer’s transfer window. Though Inter Milan want to tie the centre-back down to a new contract, that hasn’t stopped Europe’s elite from eyeing a swoop. And if the 27-year-old does end up moving to Old Trafford, it will certainly plunge Harry Maguire’s future into doubt…
Manchester United are currently well-stocked when it comes to centre-backs.
As well as Maguire, they also have Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane on their books - as well as forgotten man Axel Tuanzebe and Eric Bailly, who is spending the season on loan at Marseille.
However, according to Calciomercato, United are in the mix when it comes to potentially signing Skriniar.
And the fact they’re eyeing a deal for the Slovakia international, who is a regular under Simeone Inzaghi at the San Siro, doesn’t bode well for Maguire.
Already, these days, he’s down in Erik ten Hag’s pecking order.
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Prior to picking up an injury during the most-recent international break, Maguire was unable to get into the team at Varane and Martinez’s expense.
That little and large partnership has been working for the Red Devils and Ten Hag, at the moment, sees no reason to tinker.
When one of the duo has been unavailable in recent weeks, it’s been Varane Lindelof who has been called into action.
And though the Sweden international is a divisive figure at Old Trafford, he’s done well in the short time since returning from injury.
The futures of Varane, Lindelof and Martinez all seem safe for the time being. The trio are good assets, and have quickly earned Ten Hag’s trust.
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But when it comes to Maguire, it’s a different matter entirely. And if Skriniar arrives, surely a place on the Red Devils’ transfer list will beckon.
United had high hopes for the 29-year-old when they signed him from Leicester back in the summer transfer window of 2019, when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ruled the roost.
Initially, Maguire did well - with the former Foxes star solid enough during his first two years at the club.
But, ever since the beginning of last season, the England international has been unable to produce the form that triggered Solskjaer into signing him in the first place.
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Maguire was poor towards the end of the Norwegian’s spell in charge and was unable to prevent his old boss from losing his job last season.
And he then proceeded to toil as Ralf Rangnick struggled to work his magic to save their season last term.
Meanwhile, speaking recently, Liverpool hero Jamie Carragher gave Maguire some advice when it comes to earning the respect of the club’s supporters.
“I know how I would have reacted in the same situation. The next training sessions would have been treated as if they were my last, taking no prisoners,” he said.
“Don’t believe me? Ask the ex-Liverpool defender and current Cameroon coach Rigobert Song. On the day I was called up to the England squad for the first time he openly laughed at me with some teammates.
“Twenty minutes later we were training and I approached the session like it was the Merseyside derby, the usual rules of no strong tackling abandoned as I relished every opportunity to demonstrate my competitiveness, especially when Song was nearby.
“A line had to be drawn. No-one was going to take the [expletive] out of me like that.
“Judge my attitude all you wish, but there are moments in your career when you have to look after yourself, protect your reputation and fight back, because the sport is brutal and once anyone smells blood - fans, teammates or coaches - they will finish you.”
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