Manchester United needs to get back to the drawing board after a dismal 2023-24 season. Poor results, combined with off-the-pitch controversies and injury problems have made the 2023-24 season one to forget for United. While there’s no doubt that the club will need to make some big decisions, Manchester United is reportedly ready to offload their former captain, Harry Maguire.
Harry Maguire made history by joining Manchester United back in 2019 as the world’s most expensive defender. United reportedly paid a massive sum of $100 million to sign Maguire from his former club, Leicester City. However, since his arrival at United five years ago, Maguire’s time at Manchester has been full of ups and downs. From being named the club captain in 2020 to almost losing his place in the starting XI, Maguire has seen it all.
🚨 Manchester United intend to use Harry Maguire as bait to tempt Everton into selling Jarrad Branthwaite this summer.
(Source: Daily Star) pic.twitter.com/pfOSDeqzxq
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) May 5, 2024
According to recent reports from Daily Star, Manchester United is finally considering selling Harry Maguire. There were reports of West Ham wanting to sign the English defender the last, but the deal failed to materialize. Recently, United is planning to use Maguire in a swap deal for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite. Branthwaite has been one of United’s top targets for the upcoming summer transfer window.
The 21-year-old defender has gained popularity in the Premier League with his performances of late. However, it is worth mentioning that Everton wouldn’t be too keen to sell Branthwaite. Although, keeping in mind Everton’s current financial crisis, combined with controversies regarding their takeover by 777 Partners, the Toffees might be forced to sell Branthwaite.
Erik ten Hag laughs off rumors of selling the majority of Manchester United squad
In the meantime, Erik ten Hag has dismissed the rumors of Manchester United looking to sell several of their first-team players. A few days ago, there were reports suggesting that the club has placed as many as 11 of their first-team stars on the transfer list. However, Ten Hag laughed off the rumors and urged the reporters to be more responsible in their work.
🚨 Ten Hag: “We are NOT gonna sell main part of the squad, it’s a joke”.
“As every summer, 200 players getting interest from United and we sell all of the players in our squad…”.
“You make all of the headlines and that takes responsibility how you make such a headline”. pic.twitter.com/xh0tJKBqec
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 2, 2024
He said, “It’s a joke! Every summer, we sell every player in our squad. As long as I worked here, every summer, 200 players are getting an interest from Manchester United, which is untrue.” Ten Hag, however, didn’t deny that there are going to be some major changes in the United squad next season. He admitted that the club will be busy during the summer transfer window.
Erik ten Hag finally confirms rumors of FC Barcelona star’s failed move
Erik ten Hag also recently confirmed the rumors of Manchester United failing to sign FC Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong. Following Ten Hag’s move to Manchester United, the Dutch coach was desperate to sign Frenkie de Jong from FC Barcelona. The Dutch duo have previously played together at Ajax when Ten Hag coached Frenkie de Jong and his teammates to the Eredivisie title.
Despite several reports suggesting that De Jong‘s move to Manchester United was only a matter of time, the Spanish giants refused to let go of their resourceful midfielder. During a recent interview with Sky Sports, Ten Hag said, “It would have been Frenkie de Jong and Casemiro [in midfield]. They would really be connected with each other.”
🚨🇳🇱 Erik ten Hag confirms he wanted Frenkie de Jong to join United in 2022: “Yes, it would have been de Jong and Casemiro playing and complementing each other”.
“But in the last decade and in this period, we couldn’t always get the players we wanted. You have to accept that”. pic.twitter.com/xX7oxEFOtw
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 3, 2024
Ten Hag further stated that Frenkie would have been a crucial player to incorporate the style of playing that got the former success at Ajax at Manchester United. However, the Dutch coach admitted that over the last decade, Manchester United have been unlucky in failing to sign several of their transfer targets.
