Michael Carrick was put in charge of Manchester United until the end of the season earlier this week and he's already having a say on the Red Devils' transfer business
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: Harry Maguire of Manchester United reacts after the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion on January 11, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Harry Maguire's contract expires in June(Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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New Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has reportedly moved to block Harry Maguire from leaving Old Trafford. Maguire, 32, is in the last six months of his contract and United face losing their £80million signing on a free.
It was the same situation last year before the Red Devils triggered their one-year extension clause in Maguire's deal, something which can't be repeated. As things stand, the January transfer window is United's only chance to recoup a fee for the centre-back amid claims that Nottingham Forest's Murillo is on their shortlist to replace him.
But the Sun report that Carrick has slammed the door shut on Maguire leaving in January. That's despite enquiries from both AC Milan and Inter Milan as well as multiple Premier League clubs, it's added.
Old Trafford chiefs will reject all approaches for the 64-time England international this month and he's set to remain part of Carrick's squad until the end of the season. It serves as Carrick's first transfer decision after being appointed manager on Tuesday.
Like Maguire, Carrick is only under contract until the end of the season. They'll hope to work together, as they did while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in charge, to fire United into the Champions League and convince the club to keep both of them.
Maguire has only played 11 minutes since November's 2-2 draw at Tottenham, having picked up an injury which ruled him out for two months. The 32-year-old will be desperate to impress during the second half of the campaign and earn a place in England's squad for the World Cup.
Thomas Tuchel, who's been linked with the United job, is yet to call Maguire up since becoming England boss. His last cap for the Three Lions came in September 2024 under Lee Carsley.
Maguire is well aware that he could be waving goodbye to United in June. After scoring the winning goal in the Red Devils' 2-1 victory over Liverpool in October, the defender admitted: "I'm in my last year now, so this could be the last time I played at Anfield for this club. It's really important that I've come here and ticked that one off."
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 22: Manchester United Coach Michael Carrick and Harry Maguire of Manchester United answer questions from the media at a press conference during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground on November 22, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Harry Maguire and Michael Carrick previously worked together(Image: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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In August, Maguire said of his future: "This year, obviously I'm up at the end of the year. I'm pretty sure the club have made it aware this summer that I can't leave the club on any terms with other clubs enquiring about my things and my position with my contract.
"I'm sure over the next few months they'll sit down and we'll have to have a conversation about where we want to go and if they want to extend, or obviously the transfer window will open again in January. Obviously, I have something in my mind about what I want to do and what I want to be.
"I don't want to put it out there to everybody, but it's an amazing club to play for and you'd be silly if you wanted to jump out of it as soon as you could."
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