Exclusive:‘Don’t know’ - Ex-Manchester United defender gives Harry Maguire transfer verdict

Wes Brown has said Harry Maguire still has a role to play at Manchester United this season but admitted the defender’s desire to play every week could prove to be an issue.

The ex-Leicester City man is among several players the club could move on this transfer window in order to generate funds for arrivals. Maguire nearly signed for West Ham United last year and his future remains uncertain just three weeks before United’s 2024/25 season begins.

But after a difficult summer 12 months ago, Maguire went on to play a significant role last campaign and no United centre-backs started more games throughout the season. It’s for that reason Brown feels Maguire still has a role to play this term, despite the signing of Leny Yoro adding further competition for places.

“Of course there’s still a place for him,” the ex-United defender told ManchesterWorld. “And even last season you wouldn’t have expected him to play that many games, but with injuries he came in and handled things very professionally and got on with the job.

“That’s the sort of player you need. But, it’s whether Harry will be happy enough to do it again - you don’t know. He would have gone to the Euros had he been fit. He’s a high-class player who will want to play every week.”

For now, Maguire’s main goal is to regain his fitness after injury denied him the chance of meeting up Gareth Southgate’s squad this summer. After picking up a muscular problem in April, United’s no.5 is now back in full training, although he wasn’t involved in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Rangers.

“A full pre-season will give him a good base,” claimed Brown. “Pre-season is very important; you don’t understand that until you’re a bit older. With Harry not going to the Euros it looks like he’s going to be fit [for the new season]. If he doesn’t pick up anything in the next week or two his pre-season should be excellent and he’ll be raring to go.”

The signing of Yoro, and Jonny Evans agreeing a new deal, means United have five centre-back options along with Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof.

“We needed to strengthen there,” Brown said. “If you look at last season, we had bad injuries and we would have been in an even worse position if we wouldn’t have had that depth. With [Raphael] Varane leaving we needed to fill that gap.”