Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag reportedly wants to keep Harry Maguire this summer amid links to Chelsea.
It’s been claimed that Chelsea could make a move to sign Man United’s defender if they fail in their attempts to bring in Leicester’s 21-year-old centre-back Wesley Fofana.
ESPN now reports Man United’s manager Ten Hag wants to avoid selling Maguire, though.
It is explained the Dutch manager wants to keep the 29-year-old in his squad as one of four senior centre-backs at Old Trafford.
The report explains the ideal scenario is Maguire competing with Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof for a starting position in the defence. Meanwhile, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe are available to be sold.
Ten Hag wants to keep Maguire
Maguire was benched for Man United’s recent win over Liverpool, which sent out quite the message to the club captain.
The England international has been an ever-present in recent seasons for the Red Devils, but there’s no doubting his very best form has deserted him.
He’s come in for some harsh individual criticism in the last year while playing for an out of sorts Man United line-up. There’s no doubting he does need to shoulder some of the blame, though.
Intriguingly, he continues to be a go-to man for England boss Gareth Southgate and appears a lot more comfortable on the international stage.
Keep him, Erik
This isn’t more deliberate bashing of a struggling centre-half in Maguire, but Chelsea need to stay clear of him.
For certain, Fofana is the individual that looks a perfect fit to what the Blues need at Stamford Bridge.
Leicester’s rising talent will bring great pace, youth and aggression into Thomas Tuchel’s back three.
Unfortunately, Maguire would be far too big a risk.
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