Rio Ferdinand exclusive on Harry Maguire's Manchester United future: 'He will be a substitute if he stays'
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Published 19/07/2023 at 12:04 GMT+1
In an exclusive interview for TNT Sports, former Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand offers his take on out-of-favour Harry Maguire. The England defender looks set to start next season on the bench, with Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane expected to be Erik ten Hag's first-choice centre-back pairing. Ferdinand believes the ex-Leicester man should consider his future.
Rio Ferdinand exclusive: 'Harry Maguire doesn't really fit the bill' at United
Rio Ferdinand has told TNT Sports that Harry Maguire faces the prospect of a season on the bench if he opts to stay and fight for his place at Manchester United.
The 30-year-old England defender made only 16 appearances in the Premier League for United last season. Despite being Manchester United's club captain at the time, Maguire was also an unused substitute in the FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City.
But Maguire has since been removed as club captain by Erik Ten Hag, with reports suggesting that West Ham have had a loan offer rejected.
Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane were Ten Hag's preferred centre-back pairing in his first season in charge at Old Trafford, and Ferdinand does not see that changing.
In an exclusive interview with TNT Sports, Ferdinand admitted it must be "very hard, mentally" for Maguire to play a bit-part role at Manchester United.
"Erik ten Hag has a particular way of playing. He has to choose players that suit his style of football, and Harry Maguire does not fit the bill," he said.
"He brought in Martinez and Varane to fit his philosophy and those will be his first-choice centre-backs next season."
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Maguire arrived at United in 2019 from Leicester for £80m, then a world-record fee for a defender, and his contract runs until 2025.
With next summer's European Championships in Germany less than 12 months away, Ferdinand says Maguire faces a big decision with his career at a crossroads.
He played in all five of England's World Cup games in 2022 and started the recent Euro qualifiers in June, but manager Gareth Southgate has admitted his lack of game time for Manchester United is a concern.
Ferdinand added: "It will have been really difficult for Maguire, after playing so well for England [at World Cup 2022], coming back to Manchester United to be a substitute. That must have been mentally very hard to deal with.
"The question now is, what does he want to do? Does he want to be a squad player or does he want to be a starter in another team?
"If he is happy being a squad player at Manchester United then he stays, if he doesn't then he will go. But he will be a sub if he stays at United."
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With the start of the 2023/24 Premier League season less than a month away, Ferdinand is expecting big things from Manchester United in Ten Hag's second season at the helm.
"Manchester United have to look to improve again off the back of last season," he said. "Consistency is going to be key and maintaining confidence throughout the campaign.
"There will be blips, but they need to make sure those blips do not last long if they are going to push Manchester City closer.
"A trophy is a must. You would like to think they can improve on the League Cup and target the FA Cup or even the Champions League!"
United finished third in the Premier League last season, 14 points behind champions Manchester City. The club will play their 2023/24 Premier League opener against Wolves on Monday, August 14. Their trip to Burnley on Saturday, September 23 at 20:00 will be live on TNT Sports.
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