Man Utd ‘make Harry Maguire U-turn’ as Michael Carrick intervenes | Football | Sport

Harry Maguire is now highly likely to secure a new contract with Manchester United in the coming months, as Michael Carrick continues to demonstrate confidence in the centre-back. The England international will be 33 years old when his existing deal runs out this summer, as he approaches the latter stages of his career.

With his current salary believed to be around £180,000-per-week, United could seek to reduce his wages, according to the Daily Mail. The club might also be reluctant to offer Maguire a lengthy contract, given his age. Whether the defender would be willing to accept such terms remains unclear, particularly given that he remains an important figure in Carrick’s system at Old Trafford.

Maguire has featured in every match since the interim head coach took charge of United last month, partnering Lisandro Martinez in wins against Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham.

Should Maguire agree a new contract with his club of seven years, it would represent a remarkable turnaround from the situation he encountered just a few years ago, losing the captaincy under Erik ten Hag before drifting in and out of Ruben Amorim’s first XI.

Maguire’s situation is in stark contrast to that of his team-mate, Casemiro, who has confirmed he will be leaving Manchester United when his contract expires this summer.

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The Brazilian defensive midfielder has been a stalwart at Old Trafford since joining from Real Madrid in 2022, making 149 appearances.

However, the 33-year-old announced earlier this year that he will be parting ways with the Red Devils this summer. He took to Instagram to share the poignant news, writing: “Knowing when stages come to an end.

“Knowing when to say goodbye when you feel that you will be remembered and respected forever. Four months to give my all for this badge and for our goal.

“Eternal respect and affection for Manchester United and its wonderful fans. Forever Red Devil.”

Maguire recently spoke about United’s upturn in form, explaining that the defensive structure and organisation Carrick has implemented is key.

“We’ve got to be comfortable to dominate with the ball, but also without the ball,” he told TNT Sports. “We always know we’re going to be a threat on the counter-attack with our players. Against Man City, we took the lead and were happy to soak up a little bit of pressure and to be comfortable defending our box.

“I think that’s the main thing that’s improved over the past three games: we’ve defended our box a lot better with a lot more urgency. Previously, we defended our box nowhere near good enough. Every time the ball went into the box, they had a chance.

“But the last three games, loads more urgency – and not just from the defenders, from the midfielders and the wide men getting back in and the striker protecting the edge of the box. It’s so important that we do it as a team and we’ve got to make sure we get the spaces right and that we’re compact all over the pitch.

“Michael will bring that. There will be times where you’ll see us go man to man all over the pitch and try to be really aggressive and there will also be times where we’re happy and content in keeping the spaces short and punishing teams on the counter-attack. I think it’s important to be tactically flexible in that aspect.”

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