Manchester United captain Harry Maguire wanted by Premier League club in shock loan deal - Reports
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire is reportedly wanted by West Ham United on loan this month. The English defender has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford.
Maguire, 29, has made 15 appearances across competitions but only seven in the starting lineup. Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag has preferred the defensive duo of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez. The Dutchman has also opted to use left-back Luke Shaw as a makeshift centre-back rather than starting Maguire.
That has led to uncertainty growing over the former Leicester City defender's future at Manchester United. According to the Mirror, the Red Devils are ready to take a huge loss on the £85 million they paid for Maguire in 2019.
West Ham are interested in signing the player on loan in the ongoing January transfer window. The Hammers are struggling in the league, languishing in 18th, losing 12 of 18 games. David Moyes' side have shipped 25 goals and are staring at the possibility of a potential relegation scrap.
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Should #MUFC loan out Harry Maguire? 🔴🤔 https://t.co/FlI9MDMmEF
They could move for Maguire, as Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly trying to prise Craig Dawson away from the London Stadium. He's valued at £7 million, and West Ham have already rejected a bid from Wolves. However, Julen Lopetegui's side are expected to come back with an improved offer.
Meanwhile, Maguire has made 159 appearances, scoring seven goals and providing five assists, for the Red Devils since arriving Leicester. His spell at Old Trafford, though, has been blighted by constant criticism over his performances due to his £85 million transfer fee.
Ten Hag named Bruno Fernandes as Manchester United's Man of the Match in derby win over Manchester City
Manchester United took the spoils in their derby clash with Manchester City on Saturday (January 14). Jack Grealish had given Pep Guardiola's men the lead, but Fernandes' contentious equaliser and Marcus Rashford's close-range winner secured a 2-1 win for Ten Hag's men.
Rashford and Casemiro were the standout performers for the Red Devils on the day, but Ten Hag made special mention of Fernandes. He said that the Portuguese midfielder adapted brilliantly to playing in a right-wing role (via Metro):
"The idea is with Bruno on the right wing and especially in defending."
He added:
"We defended as usual, but in possession he had a role to come in between the lines to bring an extra player there and bring the opponent problems and create hesitation and confusion. I thought he played that role brilliantly."
Ten Hag concluded by explaining why Fernandes was so important for Manchester United on the counter:
"The rest of the team adapted well to the situation, and we had really good breaks by finding the free man. Bruno was an important factor in that role and important in the pressing as well. He was my man of the match, definitely."
Bruno Fernandes is 1 contribution away from having 100 goal contributions for Man United.
He's only played 152 games 🤯 https://t.co/KDHptlxopV
Next up for Ten Hag's men is a trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace on Wednesday (January 18) before they travel to league leaders Arsenal four days later.