Sport

Harry Maguire reportedly training ‘three times a day’ as questions linger over Man United future

He might have been largely out of the side last season, but Maguire looks like he's fighting hard to get back in the team.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 10th July 2023

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire is reportedly training as often as “three times a day in the build-up to the new football season as he battles to regain his confidence and, hopefully, a place back in the team.

The 30-year-old spent much of the 2022/23 season on the bench for Man United and only really came back into the team to replace his injured colleagues, play cup ties or make short cameos towards the end of games. However, it looks as though the England international is fighting hard to get back on track.

Posting a number of images from a closed camp in Portugal along with the caption, “No Limits. No Excuses.”, the out-of-form centre-back gave a glimpse at the work he’s been doing in pre-season, where he’s been training one-on-one with former Chelsea and Real Madrid defender, Ricardo Carvalho.

Alongside teammate Diogo Dalot, it looks like United’s number five is determined to get back into the starting lineup or at least back to the levels that would make him desirable to another team, as he has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford for some time now.

Shedding some light on the three-week regime Maguire has been undertaking, journalist Fabrizio Romano told CaughtOffside that his current programme comes in the midst of a crucial period for the centre half whose future could be decided “in the next [few] days”.

Romano claims that the decisive conversation with manager Erik ten Hag is looming large as “there are chances for Maguire to leave Old Trafford this summer”; the likes of Everton, West Ham and even a return to recently relegated Leicester have been rumoured.

ten Hag himself admitted that “no-one would be happy with this situation” insisting that Maguire “always trains to the best levels and with 100% effort, so if he handles that situation well and [in the right] manner”, then there is no reason why he can’t work his way back into the squad more regularly.

Although it is said he could be about to officially lose the captain’s armband ahead of the new campaign, with Bruno Fernandes having essentially taken over the role last season, the Dutchman suggested that he can still be “important for the squad.”

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With Lisandro Martinez having just come back from his long-term injury and Raphael Varane regularly dipping in and out of the side with fitness issues, the most expensive defender of all time could still very well have an opportunity to get back on the team sheet and stake a claim.

That being said, with club legend David de Gea having just left and transfer target Andre Onana being linked as the impending replacement as early as this week, United could be looking to complete what would be a largely new-look backline compared to the last few seasons.

What do you think, is Maguire willing to fight for his place or is this simply a bit of shop-windowing?

Featured Image — Harry Maguire/Manchester United (via Instagram)

Sport

Jonny Evans is staying at Manchester United after retirement

Danny Jones Danny Jones Jonny Evans is staying on at Manchester United in a youth staff role

Recently retired defender Jonny Evans is reportedly staying at Manchester United after hanging up his boots as a player and is set to remain in a new staff role at the club.

Evans enjoyed somewhat of a renaissance in red after returning to Old Trafford back in 2023 on a short-term deal that was initially intended as a way of him regaining fitness whilst helping Man United out on their pre-season tour.

Fast-forward to 2025, and he’s made another 43 appearances for the team, a whole eight years on from his first spell, with his temporary contract made permanent under Erik ten Hag and playing a number of games under Ruben Amorim as well.

However, having picked up an injury in the previous campaign and now at 37 years old, his second stint wasn’t going to last forever; as per The Athletic‘s Laurie Whitwell, Evans will now take up a staff job at United, dealing primarily with young players.

The Stockport-born journalist explains that the Northern Irish centre-back will be operating in a youth development role, focusing specifically on youth loans and bedding academy products into other clubs.

As an academy graduate himself, his knowledge of the system and wealth of expertise as a veteran of the senior game have seen him identified as an ideal candidate for the task.

With yet another round of redundancies around the organisation earlier this year, and with academy director Nick Cox leaving the setup after nearly a decade at the club last week, his arrival in the post has come at a crucial time.

Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the INEOS Group and CEO Omar Berrada have all faced heavy criticism for trimming the workforce despite paying off heavy sums owed on players and coaches no longer at the club, as well as continuing to try and spend in the summer window.

A number of unpopular decisions are already directly impacting the supporters, too.

The 81-year-old Red being forced to give up his seat after nearly half a cenutry
It isn’t just the staff that are being hit by the cutbacks and business decisions.

Nevertheless, retaining the cult favourite club servant has been met with a much better reception.

Whitwell explains that “United see Evans as a valuable asset for his character, professionalism and experience of winning trophies, and feel a role in bridging the pathway between academy and senior football suits him.”

Plus, with Mathues Cunha already brought into the club and progress being made in the deal for Brentford’s Bryan Mbuemo, there is plenty of reason for fans to be positive.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the transfer market, the likes of Jadon Sancho, Antony, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho have all been linked with permanent moves away, which could help them finance the recruitment behind the potential rebuild.

Nevertheless, much like part of the furniture, Evans is staying right where he is.

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Featured Images — Manchester United (via MUFC website)

Sport

Wigan Athletic make statement signing after grabbing Wrexham’s Paul Mullin on loan

Danny Jones Danny Jones Paul Mullin joins Wigan Athletic on loan

Wigan Athletic have pulled over a big transfer in the summer window, albeit only temporarily for now, as they have managed to acquire the services of Wrexham AFC striker Paul Mullin on loan.

The Merseyside-born marksman, who has been instrumental in helping lift Wrexham from the depths of the National League and into the Championship (the first time they’ve been back in the second division since 1977/78), joins the Latics on loan until the end of the 2025/26 season.

Mullin may be gradually entering the latter end of his career, but he has proved time and again that he can score, managing to chip in with a respectable half dozen goal contributions even amidst a lengthy period out following back surgery and a subsequent shin injury.

The 30-year-old is the third signing for Wigan so far in 2025, following the likes of incomings Fraser Murray, a left-sided Scottish midfielder from Kilmarnock, and fellow forward Christian Saydee from Portsmouth, but he’s no doubt the one who’s caught the most attention.

A regular hero in the well-documented and Hollywood-backed Welcome to Wrexham story, Paul Mullin has notched an unbelievable 110 goals in 172 games, boasting a combined goal contribution tally of 223 across multiple English clubs up and down the football pyramid in just over a decade as a professional.

Put simply, he scores goals wherever he goes.

Commenting on the move, Mullin said via club media: “I’m excited for the next part of my story. The Gaffer has outlined his plan for the season, and I’m hoping to take his trust into the season and make it a really successful one. As a player, I give absolutely everything and work as hard as I can. 

“I’ve scored a lot of goals over the last few years, but more than anything, I give my absolute all for the Club that I’m playing for, and I’m going to do that again with Wigan.”

Bidding a brief goodbye to his parent club, he responded to their announcement by adding: “All the best this season! Keep the train rolling.”

Although he’s no stranger to the North West – having been born in Litherland, Sefton and played for both Morecambe and Tranmere Rovers – Wigan Athletic is the first spell at a Greater Manchester club for Mullin. The move will also see him face familiar local foes like Stockport County and Bolton Wanderers.

It’s fair to say that, as well as finding the net pretty regularly throughout his career, he’s managed to pick up a number of accolades along the way, too, especially during his time with Wrexham.

Much-admired rising coach Ryan Lowe, who was snapped up by Wigan Athletic amidst the flurry of names linked last March, said in the official club statement: “I’m delighted that we’ve managed to sign Paul. He’ll be a great addition to the group and is a player who is a proven goal scorer in the EFL. 

“He has won promotion in his last three seasons with Wrexham AFC and will add firepower, know-how and experience to the group, which is really important. He is here because he is hungry to score more goals, win games and contribute to Wigan Athletic Football Club.”

“Paul is the type of character we want in the dressing room, and his experience will help support the team on and off the pitch.”

Supporters of The Red Dragons might be sad to see him go, but you’ve got to be happy with this one, right, ‘Tics?

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Featured Images — Wigan Athletic

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