Manchester United spent £232.4million this summer on squad improvements, but Gabby Agbonlahor is shocked that one long-standing team member cannot get into their starting line-up.
The 20-time champions invested heavily this summer, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe showing his full backing of Ruben Amorim by signing players tailored to his unique formation.
Manchester United brought in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko to bolster their attacking options and provide more firepower.
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Meanwhile, Senne Lammens joined Manchester United to improve their defensive qualities, although giving more minutes to a man on the fringes of their squad may also accomplish that.
Ruben Amorim, Manager of Manchester United, looks dejected during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Grimsby Town and Manchester United at Blundell Park.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Gabby Agbonlahor believes Harry Maguire is Manchester United’s ‘best defender’
Harry Maguire might have had some tumultuous moments at the Theatre of Dreams, but his quality is well known by fans, particularly his ability in the air, both defensively and offensively.
However, Maguire’s only start this season has come in the EFL Cup defeat against Grimsby Town, and Agbonlahor admitted on talkSport that he thinks the defender deserves more opportunities.
“I like him a lot. I think he’s underappreciated.
“Manchester United fans were savage with how they treated him when he was getting memes on social media because of a couple of mistakes that every player makes.
“I think if you watch him last season, he was your best defender. Who scores the goals to get you back into the game?
“De Ligt, Yoro, and Luke Shaw [as the defenders], and he can’t get a game baffles me.”
Maguire has only made two substitute appearances in the Premier League this season, with Amorim having often used him as a target man late in games during his tenure in charge.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes Maguire needs more protection after publicly praising him and claiming England missed him during the European Championships.
The 2025-26 season could be Harry Maguire’s last at Old Trafford
Maguire has been a loyal servant to Manchester United since signing for the club for £80million from Leicester City in 2019, but this season could end up being his final one at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils exercised an option in his contract to keep the England international at the club for this season, but his deal expires at the end of this campaign.
That means that Maguire could potentially leave on a free transfer next summer, unless the 20-time champions strike a deal with a club in the January transfer window.
Harry Maguire Career Stats Games Played Goals Assists Own Goals
All Competitions 584 37 27 5
Harry Maguire’s complete career stats
Agbonlahor admitted he would take the 32-year-old at Aston Villa if they wanted to sign him, but there is still a chance he could depart Manchester United in the coming days.
The Sun has reported that two Saudi Pro League clubs want to sign him, and with their transfer window still open it is possible. However, it was noted that Maguire would only consider that move after this season.