Man United ‘are finding it harder to sell Harry Maguire’

Manchester United‘s ability to sell Harry Maguire this summer has been made more difficult by a reported wage increase for the centre back.

Following a third-placed finish to secure Champions League football, Maguire is reported to have earned a ‘considerable’ wage hike, along with other members of Erik ten Hag’s squad.

But the Guardian report that Maguire, who lost a starting spot under the Dutch manager, is now even more difficult to move as any switch this summer would require him taking a pay-cut. 

Maguire remains involved in England’s squad and amid interest from West Ham and Tottenham, he faces his own decision as to whether he is better staying at Manchester United.

The centre back cost United £80million when he joined from Leicester, but a steady decline in form will see a hit taken on that figure if he is sold this summer. 

Erik ten Hag needs new players for his Manchester United squad but their budget is squeezed

Maguire is a peripheral figure at United and there are no indications that his first-team chances will improve next season. 

Ten Hag has previously admitted the centre-half has a decision to make over his future, while England boss Gareth Southgate has expressed concerns over Maguire’s bit-part role at United after admitting the 30-year-old risks losing his international place if he continues his bench role. 

Maguire started only eight league games last season and spent 15 on the bench after Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane forged a strong central defensive partnership.

When they were absent, Victor Lindelof and even Luke Shaw were favoured by Ten Hag ahead of Maguire, which is hardly a good omen.

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Following the £60m signing of Mason Mount on Wednesday, Ten Hag is acutely aware that he needs to sell to boost his funds for more transfers – with Maguire among those they would be open to moving.

The United boss started the summer with a £120m transfer budget but with half of that sanctioned for No 1 midfield target Mount, and with desires for a new striker and new goalkeeper, departures are in order at Old Trafford.

Donny van de Beek, Fred, Anthony Elanga, Eric Bailly and Brandon Williams are among the players that are available for sale, while United will listen to offers for Maguire, Scott McTominay and Dean Henderson.

Both Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial could be bought for the right price.  

Mason Mount has joined for £60m but United need to make sales on players such as Maguire

Brazilian midfielder Fred has interest from Fulham and could be one that is sold this summer

A key focus for United now will be finding a new No 1 goalkeeper with their No 1 for the past 12 years, David de Gea, now a free agent after his contract was allowed to expire without a new agreement last week.

They could yet re-sign the Spaniard but De Gea would be on a reduced salary and not guaranteed to be Ten Hag’s No 1. Inevitably, there are reports of lucrative offers from clubs in Saudi Arabia.

Ten Hag certainly has his reservations over De Gea, only enhanced by a number of high-profile mistakes last season, and the Dutchman ideally wants a keeper more comfortable with the ball at their feet.

On Wednesday morning, Mail Sport reported United’s pursuit of Inter Milan’s Andre Onana had stepped up with a verbal proposal of £34m plus add-ons made.

Ten Hag knows Onana well from their time working together at Ajax though Inter’s asking price is £45m, which would further erode United’s budget.

Brighton’s Robert Sanchez is a cheaper alternative at £30m, while Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Kevin Trapp could be fall-back options.

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Manchester United’s goalkeeping situation is up in the air after long-term No 1 David de Gea (pictured on the right) was allowed to let his contract run down and expire

Talks between United and Inter Milan over goalkeeper Andre Onana are ongoing