The Guardian’s Jamie Jackson has reported that Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag plans on moving both Harry Maguire and Fred on from the club in the summer.
The flop duo were signed for a combined £132 million, but the Red Devils are prepared to take a huge loss on the pair in order to ensure they depart the club.
Erik ten Hag Plans to Sell Harry Maguire and Fred in the Summer
Erik ten Hag aiming to sell Harry Maguire next summer in Manchester United rebuild. Exclusive by @JamieJackson___ https://t.co/la58rmsQSZ
— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) November 11, 2022
Time to Sell Harry Maguire
Maguire, who was recently named in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man England squad for the Qatar World Cup, initially signed from Leicester City in the summer of 2019 for a record-breaking fee for a defender of £80 million.
To begin with, the centre back was an integral cog in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s system at United. So much so that the Norwegian publicly defended the 29-year-old on several occasions, once describing Maguire as “a true example of a Man[chester] United player, Harry [Maguire] is always there for his team and his country.”
However, since the departure of Solsjkaer, and the eventual arrival of Ten Hag, the defender has become a less prominent figure in the squad, with Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof above the Englishman in the pecking order.
As a result, Ten Hag has decided that it is now time for the club to cut its losses and sell the England international in order to ensure United can continue to rebuild, with Jackson saying that: “Manchester United will consider offers for Harry Maguire next summer, with Erik ten Hag intent on selling his captain to help fund a continuing overhaul of the squad. Maguire cost £80 million but the club realise they may have to accept a considerable loss to sell him.”
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Ten Hag Decides to Release Fred
Much like Maguire, Brazilian midfielder Fred was also beloved by Solskjaer, with the ex-Manchester United manager stating: “Fred is a very good player, he is a regular for Brazil which, in itself, is a mark of quality, He’s got an exceptional personality and attitude to football, such a big smile.”
However, unlike Maguire, Fred has been able to impress his new manager, with Jackson going on to say: “Ten Hag has been impressed with Fred’s application and team ethic”, but, unfortunately for the 29-year-old, his contract with the Red Devils expires at the end of this season, and the Dutchman has decided that it is time for Fred and the club to part ways in order to “overhaul a midfield in which only Casemiro has proven to be a consistent top-class performer.”
Fred appears increasingly likely to suffer the same fate as teammate Harry Maguire then, with the duo expected to be ruthlessly axed from the squad in the summer of 2023.
