A chance for Maguire in the League Cup
* Man Utd - Burnley: 3am on Thursday, December 22 in Hanoi time.
On December 19, Maguire attended his first training session with eight teammates at Man Utd after returning from Qatar. But because the two main central defenders Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane were rested due to the 2022 World Cup final on December 18, Erik ten Hag is likely to have to use Maguire when Man Utd kicks the first match after the World Cup.
Besides Maguire, the only central defender in the first team of Man Utd ready to face Burnley is Victor Lindelof. 20-year-old midfielder Teden Mengi injured his knee in a friendly match a week ago, against Cadiz in Spain, so he could not play. Axel Tuanzebe has not played a game this season. Another option Ten Hag can consider is to pull midfielder Scott McTominay to pair with Lindelof.
This is an opportunity for Maguire to reclaim his starting position at Man Utd. Since the beginning of the season, he has only played seven times, including one starting time in the Premier League. Before attending the World Cup, the Man Utd captain was only the fourth choice for the central defender position. Even, Ten Hag told Maguire he could leave if he didn't want to fight for his place. At the 2022 World Cup, Maguire started all five matches in England's journey to the quarter-finals.
Man Utd spent $ 97 million to recruit Maguire in the summer of 2019. To date, this is still a record transfer amount for a defender. Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick, Maguire kept the captaincy and was an irreplaceable position in the Man Utd defence. However, when Ten Hag was appointed earlier this season, the England international was not used because it did not match the style of the Dutch military leader.
Man Utd have just activated a one-year extension for Marcus Rashford, Fred, Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw. If they do not, the four players will be allowed to negotiate with other clubs in January. Rashford is considered a transfer target of PSG. Meanwhile, goalkeeper David De Gea's contract will expire next summer and Man Utd can part with him to free up a salary of $ 455,000 per week.
