Manchester United have been advised to 'write a cheque' to facilitate Harry Maguire's departure and truly back head coach Ruben Amorim. The 32-year-old has had a varied stint at Old Trafford since becoming the world's priciest defender in 2019.
The Red Devils shelled out £80million to secure Maguire from Leicester, but he nearly exited for West Ham in the summer of 2023 after struggling to settle in. The England ace has experienced a revival under Amorim this season, leading to the club activating a one-year extension to his contract in January. The move was made after it was initially anticipated that he would depart this summer following the end of his original deal.
However, despite the improvement in Maguire's performances, United are now being encouraged to cover his £190,000-a-week contract and let him go. This suggestion was put forward by ex-Liverpool and Aston Villa striker Dean Saunders, who feels sweeping changes are required to 'rid the disease' in the dressing room, as United currently sit in 14th place in the Premier League table.
The former Wolves and Wrexham manager suggested that letting Maguire leave would allow Amorim to make space for much-needed squad enhancements. Saunders voiced his opinions on talkSPORT after United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe warned that the club would be bankrupt by Christmas this year if he didn't implement controversial cost-cutting measures.
"People don't realise that being backed by an owner of a club is not all about bringing players in," Saunders said. "It's writing cheques to get rid of the disease in the dressing room. If you let that disease keep going, it gets bigger and bigger.
"For example, they've tried to sell Harry Maguire about five times, and obviously nobody can afford his wages. You've got to write a cheque to Harry Maguire and say, 'off you go'. Then, at least, you've got a dressing room that's all pulling in the same direction. That's just as important as bringing players in."
According to Saunders, United's failure to secure value for money on new signings has been stark following Sir Alex Ferguson's departure in 2013. He highlighted the club's spending excesses, citing the more than £80million they shelled out for winger Antony from Ajax in September 2022 as a glaring example.
The Brazilian's paltry return of just 12 goals in 96 appearances for United and subsequent loan switch to Real Betis in January have cast doubts over his future at the club. Saunders said: "If you look back at when Fergie left, they've appointed some really good managers, paying the top wages to every player, and not succeeding for this amount of time.
"They've paid over the odds. Arsenal were getting ripped off in the transfer market but Man United are unbelievable. I don't want to be hyper critical of him, because I know how hard it is to play at that level but look at Antony's transfer fee, and you wonder why you're bankrupt?".
Saunders also speculated on the Glazers' likely relief at Ratcliffe's arrival at United, adding: "They must be thinking, 'we've had a right result here because he's taking all the flack'. He's gone to Man United and he must have known that they were in a bit of trouble when he's had a look at the books."