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