Maguire's Man Utd exit to West Ham collapses with replacement unlikely to join

16 August 2023 , 02:00

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Harry Maguire's Man United exit has fallen through

Manchester United's issues were highlighted on the Premier League's opening weekend as they struggled past Wolves.

Andre Onana and Mason Mount both made their debuts, although the former was lucky not to give away a late penalty on his first outing. Erik ten Hag will have seen his midfield overrun at Old Trafford, which has rang alarm bells.

Casemiro was the club's midfield anchor last term but a lack of support around him has led to suggestions of United going back into the market for more new recruits despite huge sums being spent by Ten Hag throughout his tenure. Here's the latest news from Old Trafford.

Maguire exit collapses

Harry Maguire's £30m switch to West Ham looks to have collapsed after the Hammers grew impatient with the England defender’s exit negotiations at Old Trafford.

The Hammers are now ready to eye other central defensive options with their patience wearing thin. West Ham and United had agreed a fee last week but the England defender has sought compensation if he is to move on.

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He would've had to take a notable pay cut on his £190,000-a-week wages but Erik ten Hag has told him to fight for his place or go. “He has to fight for his place,” said the United boss. “He has the ability to be a top-class centre-back and he is the best for England so why shouldn’t he be the best for us? But he has to prove it. When he is not confident enough to fight then he has to go, and then he has to make a decision, but I’m happy with him.

Pavard move unlikely

Benjamin Pavard's move from Bayern Munich is very much dependent on Maguire no longer being a United player.

Maguire's proposed move to West Ham has stalled over finances and Ten Hag is prepared to let the defender remain at Old Trafford if he wants to fight for his place, but if that happens then Pavard's proposed deal will be scrapped as they won't need further reinforcements.

It is understood that United have held talks with the France World Cup winner but are unable to afford him unless they manage to sanction exits with Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof already options at centre-half.

Nev backs Amrabat signing

Gary Neville is confident the signing of Sofyan Amrabat would assist United's midfielder after claiming Casemiro was getting "absolutely torn to shreds" in their win over Wolves.

Casemiro and his midfield colleagues were largely outplayed against Wolves on Monday night. The balance - or lack of - in their midfield was a cause for concern and Neville articulated why United boss Erik ten Hag has been pursuing Morocco international Amrabat.

Ten Hag worked with the Fiorentina star, who helped his country reach the last four of the World Cup, at former club Utrecht and it is understood that the Red Devils will make moves to land him should they move on the likes of Donny van de Beek.