A livid Harry Maguire has reached his breaking point at Manchester United, following Erik ten Hag’s contentious decision to strip him of the coveted captain’s armband.
Maguire had been appointed skipper by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but his fortunes changed drastically under Ten Hag’s leadership last season. He found himself relegated to the bench, with Bruno Fernandes stepping up as the on-field leader, while Maguire was limited to a mere 16 appearances in top-flight competitions.
Ten Hag’s recent move to revoke Maguire’s captaincy is seen as another indication of his intentions to offload the England international. Maguire made the announcement on his social media accounts on a Sunday afternoon, causing ripples of speculation throughout the football world.
The decision seems to have served as a wake-up call for Maguire, prompting him to seriously contemplate leaving Old Trafford behind. Despite having two years remaining on his contract with the Red Devils, Maguire held a crucial meeting on Sunday, hinting that his future at the club hangs in the balance.
According to The Sun, Maguire was left feeling “angry, shocked, and upset” when he received the news of Ten Hag’s decision. These emotions have fueled a determined Maguire to actively seek an exit from Manchester, as he believes his time there has run its course.
With his potential departure on the horizon, four Premier League teams, namely Chelsea, West Ham, Tottenham, and Newcastle, have expressed keen interest in acquiring the 30-year-old defender. Additionally, there have been rumors linking him to Inter Milan and Al-Hilal as possible destinations.
During the January transfer window, Manchester United slapped a £50 million price tag on Maguire, but this figure is now expected to drop significantly to around £30 million.
Maguire’s discontent with Ten Hag’s decision was evident in his statement, where he expressed his disappointment while reaffirming his commitment to give his all for the team. He also extended his gratitude to the passionate Manchester United fans for their unwavering support during his time as captain, acknowledging the honor and privilege of leading the club.
In response to the tumultuous situation, Manchester United issued their own statement, revealing that the squad was caught off guard by the captaincy change. Moreover, they hinted that Ten Hag is yet to finalize his decision on the next captain, leaving the players in suspense.
As the transfer drama unfolds, all eyes are on Maguire’s future, eagerly waiting to see which club will secure the services of the talented defender. For now, Manchester United faces the challenge of filling the captaincy void while dealing with the ramifications of Ten Hag’s decision.