Manchester United are still benefiting from Harry Maguire’s services – despite Erik ten Hag’s attempts to offload the centre-back.
Back in 2019, Manchester United paid £80 million to sign Harry Maguire. The deal remains one of the club’s most expensive ever transfers.
Maguire’s Manchester United career has been full of ups and downs, but it is important to contrast him with two other players signed that same summer, Dan James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
James was sold in 2022, while Wan-Bissaka was sold in 2024. Harry Maguire will remain a Manchester United player through to the end of his contract in 2026.
And taking into account Maguire’s continuing importance to the Manchester United squad, recently starting in the win over Chelsea, don’t rule out the possibility of a contract extension.
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Manchester United and England defender Harry Maguire during the Europa League match between Manchester United and Lyon at Old Trafford in 2025 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Harry Maguire exits the Manchester United tunnel
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Erik ten Hag in United training gear
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Harry Maguire almost left Man Utd, twice
Harry Maguire was instantly made Manchester United captain by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the manager who signed him, who was convinced of his quality from day one.
At the start of his second season under Erik ten Hag in July 2023, Maguire was stripped of his captaincy, with the armband given to Bruno Fernandes.
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By August 2023, Harry Maguire appeared to be on the verge of leaving Manchester United in a permanent deal.
Sky Sports reported how a £30 million agreement had been reached between the two clubs, only to break down on personal terms.
Maguire preferred to fight for his place at Manchester United, and his decision has been justified – helped by a managerial change.
It was reported early in the 2024-25 season how Ten Hag was happy to sell Maguire in January 2025 for as little as £10 million to raise funds, The Star reported.
The Dutchman was fired a fortnight after this report emerged, after Maguire had helped prolong his job a little with an equalising goal against Porto.
Ruben Amorim’s system has benefited Harry Maguire
Ruben Amorim was appointed as Erik ten Hag’s successor, and Harry Maguire was one of the big beneficiaries.
Instead of competing for one of the two centre-back roles, Maguire was able to compete for one of three. There was more opportunity for him to show what he could do.
United triggered the one-year contract extension for Maguire in January 2025 and kept him around, instead of trying to cash in.
It is clear now that Maguire is still a key player in Amorim’s squad, and is part of the leadership group in the Manchester United dressing room.
For whatever paltry fee United would have sold him for, £10 million or £30 million, Maguire is continuing to show that keeping him around is the better value.