The summer of 2023 looked set to be a pivotal one for Manchester United defender, Harry Maguire, with the England star stripped of the captaincy by then-boss Erik ten Hag, having also come close to a move to West Ham United.
The £80m signing was adamant that he could fight for his future at Old Trafford, and so he did, ultimately outlasting the Dutchman in Manchester, before taking on a key role under the Ruben Amorim regime.
As the central figure of Amorim’s back three, Maguire almost produced too many key moments to count, memorably scoring an FA Cup winner against Leicester City, a late sucker punch away at Anfield, and, of course, that last-gasp clincher at home to Lyon.
It’s been some ride for the 33-year-old over the last seven years or so, although the end isn’t in sight just yet, following the latest developments.
Harry Maguire signs new deal to extend Man Utd stay
The ageing centre-back may have seen his most recent United outing come to an abrupt end following his dismissal against Bournemouth, although it’s largely been a positive few weeks and months for Maguire in Manchester.
A starter in every game of Michael Carrick‘s tenure thus far, the 6 foot 4 brute has also forced his way back into the England reckoning, notably starting in the recent 1-1 draw with Uruguay at Wembley.
He has been given no assurances over his long-term future in the Three Lions set-up, with Thomas Tuchel hinting that there are those ahead of him in the defensive pecking order with the World Cup on the horizon, yet as for his club future, that has now been confirmed.
Maguire – Man Utd record
Manager
Games
Goals
Solskjaer
121
6
Ten Hag
71
5
Amorim
40
5
Rangnick
21
1
Carrick
12
0
Fletcher
1
0
Heading into the last few months of his deal, there was a feeling earlier in the campaign that Maguire could be set for a final farewell, joining Casemiro in exiting as one of United’s highest earners.
Instead, now a firm fixture under Carrick, Maguire has committed his future until the summer of 2027 at least, with United also holding the option of an extra 12-month extension.
“Harry represents the mentality and resilience required to perform for Manchester United. He is the ultimate professional who brings invaluable experience and leadership to our young, ambitious squad.” Jason Wilcox on Maguire.
That new deal could pave the way for further extensions at Old Trafford in the near future, with Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes not the only ones who perhaps need to be handed fresh terms in the near future.
The new Steve Bruce needs a new deal after Maguire
Maguire is facing a two-game ban following his recent red card, although when he does return to action, he will likely be able to reignite his fruitful partnership with one notable centre-back colleague.
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Indeed, the start of Carrick’s second spell at the helm saw the Yorkshireman lining up alongside Lisandro Martinez in a flat back four, with the pair helping United to four successive wins, alongside a draw away at West Ham United.
Martinez has been absent since suffering a calf injury ahead of the subsequent win over Everton, although with Leny Yoro still looking shaky, and Matthijs de Ligt still sidelined himself, that left centre-back spot is his to lose moving forward.
Again part of the first-team squad for United’s trip to Dublin for a training camp this week, Martinez’s injury record is the only real concern right now, and a possible reason why an extension has not yet emerged for a player whose current deal expires in 2027.
That said, when he is fit and firing, there aren’t many better, boasting the unique ability to operate as almost a deep-lying playmaker to boot in that left channel.
The manner in which he can pick out a pass or drive forward from deep truly is remarkable, with teammate Yoro stating recently that he’s “never seen a centre-back with this ability on the ball”.
The 5 foot 10 warrior swiftly shut down concerns over his height – looking at you Jamie Carragher and Paul Scholes – by putting in a string of battling performances alongside Maguire, with his steely approach having previously earned rave reviews from United hero Gary Pallister.
Indeed, Pallister – a firm fixture of Alex Ferguson’s formidable team of the 1990’s – has even suggested that Martinez mirrors his former colleague, Steve Bruce, due to his full-bloodied, no-holds-barred approach to defending:
” I think he’s got that warrior mentality that somebody like Steve Bruce or Nemanja Vidic had.”
Also tipped to be a “future captain” of the club by Pallister, you wouldn’t bet against the 28-year-old World Cup winner being Maguire’s starting partner heading into next season, provided the two men can stay injury-free.
Be it Pallister and Bruce, or Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, the great United sides of the Premier League era have been led by a fearsome centre-back pairing.
Could Maguire and Martinez, even if it’s only short-term, be the bedrock of another title-winning outfit moving forward?
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