'Positive' - Manchester United in contract talks with £80m star

Harry Maguire has held “positive” talks with Manchester United over a possible new contract. The 31-year-old is technically out of contract at the end of the current season, though United have the option to extend his deal by another year if they wish to do so.

Maguire looked destined to leave the club when he was stripped of the captaincy by Erik ten Hag last year and made available for transfer in the subsequent summer transfer window, but he was committed to transform his fortunes at Old Trafford and soon worked his way back into the starting line up.

The former Leicester City defender, who cost United £80 million when he was signed in August 2019, was an unsung hero of United's derby win over Man City at the weekend. He enjoyed an excellent display against Erling Haaland, as the Man City strike failed to muster a single effort on target and won less than half of his aerial duels.

Speaking after the match, Maguire told reporters talks are "ongoing" over a new deal, with no indication he will leave the club at the end of the season.

“I haven’t really thought about it. I’ve still got this year to go with an option in their hands,” he said. “But all the signs are positive at the moment and the chat that I’m having is really positive.”

Ruben Amorim stated Maguire is the 'perfect' fit for his three at the back formation and the experienced centre-back feels comfortable playing in a formation he knows so well from his time with the England national team.

He added: “I’ve played in a back three numerous times in my career — generally played on the left, but obviously playing in the middle at the moment,” he said. “It feels good, we feel solid. I’ve just got to buy myself a bit of time and they’re looking after my minutes, because I haven’t been able to play back-to-back games yet. But to get 90 minutes under my belt for the first time in two, three months, it feels good.”