Harry Maguire to stay! Man Utd open talks over new deal for centre-back with Red Devils admiring veteran defender's 'leadership'

United are eager to keep Maguire at Old Trafford with talks between the club and the player's representatives ongoing. While the 32-year-old hasn't nailed down a starting spot under Ruben Amorim this season, he has still featured in six of their seven league matches.

Maguire may have previously been the butt of jokes among football fans, the England international has routinely proven a sturdy performer when called upon. And United value his leadership as they seek to extend the centre-back's stay at Old Trafford.

The Sheffield-born defender first moved to United back in 2019 for a reported £80m, a record for a centre-back, but initially struggled for consistency under the spotlight with the pressure of his price tag weighing heavy on his shoulders.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano posted on his official X account on Thursday afternoon that United had opened talks with Maguire over a contract extension, stating: "Manchester United are in talks with Harry Maguire over new deal with existing contract due to expire in June."

Romano continued: "Face to face meeting with his camp took place in the recent days and more will follow to discuss conditions.

"MUFC happy with Maguire’s contribution + leadership."

Maguire has had chances to leave United in the past and came close to joining West Ham in 2023, only for the player to pull the plug on the deal as he wanted to stay and fight for his place at the club.

A number of teams are believed to have enquired about Maguire's availability over the summer, but their attempts to sign the star were rebuffed.

"I think there were a couple of clubs who maybe enquired or spoke with them [United] and I think they got a quick response," Maguire is quoted as saying by ESPN.

"I'm pretty sure the club have made it aware this summer that I can't leave on any terms with other clubs enquiring about things and my position with my contract. We're in a good place, positive as a club and I feel like the hierarchy has come in and Jason [Wilcox] and the manager, I feel like they're taking it in the right direction.

"I think it's been, since I started six years ago to where it is now, it's in a completely different place in terms of the structure behind the management staff."

United do need to act swiftly if they are to prolong Maguire's stay at Old Trafford. With his contract expiring next summer, Maguire is free to talk to overseas clubs about a move from January 1st with the club eager to iron out his future quickly.

Whether Ruben Amorim is Maguire's manager by then, however, remains to be seen. While the Portuguese boss has the backing of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Amorim is under pressure to turn United's fortunes around.

The former Sporting boss has struggled to impose his style of play at Old Trafford since he succeeded Erik ten Hag last November, with his persistence over the use of a three-man backline a major pain point of supporters.

United did at least secure victory prior to the international break as they beat Sunderland 2-0 at Old Trafford. However, they make the short trip to rivals Liverpool when domestic duties resume next week as Amorim looks to make it back-to-back league wins for the first time as United boss.