Rio Ferdinand predicts Man Utd summer exit as Napoli star is linked

The former Leicester City centre-back has made 30 appearances in all competitions so far this season but the form of summer signings Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane has limited Maguire to just seven Premier League starts during the campaign. The 30-year-old last featured in a starting eleven in United’s 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest last month but has seen just 13 minutes of action since that victory at the City Ground.

Despite his struggles at club level, Maguire has remained an integral part of the England squad but former Red Devils defender Ferdinand is unsure how long Southgate will retain faith with the United centre-back if he continues to ‘play second fiddle’ at Old Trafford.

Speaking on his FIVE YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: “I think he (Maguire) needs to (leave the club). If he wants to resurrect his career he has to go in the summer. He cannot stay there and play second fiddle if he genuinely wants to stay as an England player and get back on track.”

Maguire could also face increased competition for a place in Erik ten Hag’s defence next season - according to reports in Italy.

Italian outlet FootMercato have claimed United have ‘submitted a colossal salary offer’ to the agent of Napoli’s South Korean international centre-back, Kim Min-jae. The 26-year-old has been in fine form this season as his side claimed their first Serie A title since the days of Diego Maradona and there have been reports suggesting several clubs around Europe are keen to tempt him away from the newly crowned Scudetto winners. Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked with a move for the centre-back, who is said to ‘dream of playing in the Premier League’.