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Erik ten Hag's transfer plans dealt blow by Harry Maguire desire to fight for place at Man Utd

Erik ten Hag's transfer plans dealt blow by Harry Maguire desire to fight for place at Man Utd

Maguire was expected to leave Old Trafford this summer but the centre-back wants to stay and win his place.

Harry Maguire wants to stay at Manchester United this summer and his decision could have a major impact on Erik ten Hag's transfer plans.

There has undoubtedly been an improvement in United in Ten Hag's debut campaign in England, after the previous season ended with just three wins in 12 games.

One of those improvements has come in defence with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez forming an excellent partnership and helping David de Gea become the Premier League Golden Glove winner.

But that has definitely been to the detriment to Maguire who has fallen way down the pecking order at the club, despite still being captain.

As well as falling behind Varane and Martinez, the most expensive defender of all time saw Victor Lindelof and even Luke Shaw preferred to him in central defence.

Even during the FA Cup final Lindelof was brought off late on with Scott McTominay replacing the defender rather than Maguire, admittedly in a tactical reshuffle.

The former Leicester City star has attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa, with the former potentially using him in an effort to persuade friend Harry Kane to stay.

However despite only starting eight league games all season talkSPORT claim that the 30-year-old is reluctant to leave this summer and wants to fight for his place.

Maguire has often been on the bench this season. Image: Alamy
Maguire has often been on the bench this season. Image: Alamy

With United said to have somewhat of a limited budget this summer it could completely throw off Ten Hag's plans if the captain refuses to go.

The Dutchman holds an extremely high interest in Napoli centre back Kim Min-jae whose release fee is said to be €60 million and comes into effect in July.

But United could miss out on the Serie A winner to Newcastle United if they can't get their current captain out of the squad beforehand.

The club could also have used the player as part of the deal for Mason Mount, with the manager extremely interested in the Chelsea star.

It is somewhat in Maguire's interest to move on with Gareth Southgate having warned him about his continued place in the England squad.

He has often been criticised for continuing to pick the defender when not in form or playing at all for United, next summer's Euros could be a step too far if he can't get his place at Old Trafford back.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Football, Premier League, Harry Maguire, Manchester United, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Transfers