Maguire urged to 'leave circus' as axed Man Utd skipper gets advice on next club
Gabby Agbonlahor believes Harry Maguire should leave Manchester United this summer and continue his stuttering career abroad.
Agbonlahor's advice comes after Erik ten Hag stripped Maguire of the captaincy at Old Trafford. The 30-year-old started just eight Premier League games last season and has fallen behind Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw in the pecking order.
Maguire is now being tipped to complete a summer transfer, with Chelsea, Newcastle, Tottenham and West Ham all thought to be interested in his services. It's believed the Hammers have already seen a loan bid for the England international rejected by United.
Despite interest from Premier League clubs, Agbonlahor thinks Maguire should seek a new challenge overseas. Several English players - including Fikayo Tomori, Chris Smalling and Tammy Abraham - have flourished abroad after leaving the Premier League.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Agbonlahor said: "Sometimes you're at a club and it's a big club like Manchester United - you don't want to leave and you're captain - but the armband being taken off you shows that you're not going to play enough football next season.
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"I think Harry Maguire should say to himself, 'You know what, I need to go and play somewhere. I've got the Euros coming, it could be my last Euros'. Go and play somewhere, but play at a level where you think you're good enough to play at.
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"If I'm him, I'm going to another European league. I'm going to Italy, Spain maybe. I'm going to play regular football because Harry Maguire, for me, is a top centre-half. Just get away from the negativity that seems to follow you at Manchester United."
Agbonlahor then described United as a "circus". He added: "I don't like the way he gets treated by Man Utd fans, by sheep on social media who like to give him stick. When he's on his game, he's a top centre-half. But if I'm him, I'm leaving the circus."
Although Tomori, Smalling and Abraham have done well overseas, their respective international careers have not reignited since leaving the Premier League. Agbonlahor doesn't think England boss Gareth Southgate will snub Maguire if he moves abroad.
He added: "I think he will respect the fact that he's leaving to play football. I think Gareth Southgate would rather him go and play in a different league - it might not be as competitive as the Premier League - rather than sit on the bench and [rarely] play."
Agbonlahor is concerned that Maguire "probably won't even play in the Champions League " if he doesn't leave United. Ten Hag rotated his squad for Europa League fixtures last season, but he's unlikely to do that for the Champions League next term.
Agbonlahor continued: "He'll probably end up playing only domestic cup games and the odd game if someone gets injured. I think he has to leave now. The armband was taken off you for a reason - because you're not going to start many games next season."
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