Man Utd reportedly preparing to sell Harry Maguire and release Fred when his contract expires
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is intent on selling club captain Harry Maguire, in addition to letting Fred's contract expire, according to reports.
Maguire cost United £80 million in 2019 and was named club captain in January 2020 following the departure of Ashley Young.
The 29-year-old has started three Premier League games all season, with only one of those coming since back-to-back defeats against Brighton and Brentford in August.
He's fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford following the arrival of summer signing Lisandro Martinez.
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The Argentina star worked with ten Hag at Ajax, being the regular central defender next to Raphael Varane. Maguire is seen as fourth-choice, with Victor Lindelof also ahead of him in the pecking order.
Per The Guardian, United are aware they'll be taking a heavy loss on Maguire should he move on next summer and will consider offers.
It's said ten Hag admires the England international's professionalism and work ethic but views his lack of pace as an issue. Letting Maguire depart would let United sign quality depth to challenge Martinez and Varane.
When it comes to Fred, his contract expires in 2023, with the club not expected to trigger a one-year extension option.
Ten Hag wants to overhaul United's midfield and went about doing so with the signings of Christian Eriksen and Casemiro.
Fred, who was first-choice alongside Scott McTominay under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick, has seen his game time dramatically decrease under ten Hag.
He, like Maguire, has impressed ten Hag when it comes to application in training and games.
However, Casemiro is viewed as United's only consistent world class performer in the middle of the park.
Both Maguire and Fred have been named in England and Brazil's respective World Cup squads this week.
United are currently fifth in the Premier League table. Their final game before the World Cup is against Fulham on Sunday afternoon.
Topics: Manchester United, Harry Maguire, Fred, Erik Ten Hag
Daniel Marland