Harry Maguire could reject Man United offer after ‘joke’ Ruben Amorim call
Harry Maguire is no closer to signing a new deal at Man United and would not rule out leaving the club for free at the end of the season.
That is according to former Man United chief scout Mick Brown, who worked at Old Trafford for over a decade and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that the 32-year-old still has doubts about his role in Ruben Amorim‘s side.
Despite Maguire receiving high praise for his performances, and showing he can be a key man in the starting XI, he has started just five games so far this season.
There is a growing feeling that the former United captain could be a regular starter elsewhere if he were to leave Old Trafford upon the expiry of his contract.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider in September that Amorim is pushing Maguire out of Man United amid a feeling he deserves to start more games.
Harry Maguire to make Man United contract decision
Football Insider revealed on 24 October that Man United have yet to make progress with Maguire in contract talks, but would hand him a new deal if he takes a pay cut.
Brown, who worked at Old Trafford for over a decade during the club’s most successful period and has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment, insisted that Amorim’s use of the centre-back from the bench is becoming a “joke”.
“I have to laugh really, it’s almost becoming a joke,” he told Football Insider.
“We’ve seen it in plenty of games this season, when things are getting tough for Man United, what does he do? He turns to the bench, and brings on Harry Maguire to sure things up at the back.
“Now that’s fine, I have no issue with making defensive changes if you’re trying to hang on to a result.
“The problem is, if you think ‘we need to be more solid, let’s bring on Maguire’, it just begs the question about why he isn’t starting games in the first place.
“Amorim thinks Maguire’s good enough to make a difference to the team when they’re struggling, so why not play him from the start?
“That obviously then has an impact on his future, because why would he want to stick around if they’re not recognising his value to the team?
“He’s more than good enough to start regularly at this level, and he knows that, so I think he’ll be considering his future and what other options he might have.
“When he comes to the end of his contract, if it’s a choice between being a bit-part player at United and a regular player somewhere else, it’s definitely going to be a big decision.”
Maguire’s current deal at Old Trafford runs out at the end of the season, which could see him depart after seven years amid interest from Saudi Pro League sides.
Saudi Pro League clubs plot Maguire swoop
Brown first told Football Insider in May that Man United plan to offer Maguire a new contract as they are keen to keep him beyond the expiry of his current deal.
However, with little progress being made towards an agreement, a number of interested clubs have been put on alert in case he becomes available on a free.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider that Maguire could receive “huge” offers from Saudi Arabia as they aim to tempt him into a move away.
The prospect of a move to the Saudi Pro League is believed to be an appealing one given his current situation at Old Trafford and could force him to move on.
However, Football Insider revealed on 14 October that Man United want Maguire to sign a new deal despite the temptation of potential big-money offers.
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