Michael Carrick Echoes Solskjaer's High Regard for Harry Maguire Amid Contract Uncertainty
Manchester United have received a significant update regarding the future of defender Harry Maguire at Old Trafford, with interim head coach Michael Carrick expressing strong admiration for the player that aligns with former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's views.
Contract Dilemma Looms for Experienced Defender
The 32-year-old England international's current deal is scheduled to conclude this summer, creating considerable uncertainty about whether the club will offer him an extension in the coming months. United previously activated the 12-month option in Maguire's contract last summer, a decision confirmed by then-head coach Ruben Amorim in January 2025, ensuring the defender remained at the club for an additional season.
Maguire arrived at Manchester United in the summer of 2019 from Leicester City in a landmark £80 million transfer that remains the club's record fee for a central defender. Despite this significant investment, his future at Old Trafford now hangs in the balance as the club weighs its options.
Injury Challenges and Limited Appearances
This season has presented particular challenges for Maguire, who has endured lengthy spells on the sidelines due to injury. These setbacks have limited the defender to just 12 appearances across all competitions during the current campaign.
In his 10 Premier League outings this season, the 32-year-old has received only five starts for United. Notably, two of these starts came in significant victories against Manchester City and Arsenal, matches where interim coach Michael Carrick selected Maguire in his starting line-up for both triumphs.
Carrick's Admiration Mirrors Solskjaer's Sentiment
According to recent reports from The Athletic, Carrick holds Maguire in high regard both as a footballer and as an individual, echoing the same sentiment previously expressed by United's former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. This alignment of opinion between two influential figures at the club adds an interesting dimension to the contract negotiations.
Maguire himself has spoken positively about working alongside Carrick since United appointed the former midfielder as interim head coach. In an interview with Sky Sports before Carrick's first match in charge against Manchester City earlier this month, Maguire expressed his admiration.
"Really impressed," Maguire stated. "I know Carras from before, and I spoke really highly of him. He was a magnificent coach when he was here under Ole. He's got great ideas, he speaks really well, and tactically he's really good."
The defender continued: "Now he's had a lot of experience at Middlesbrough as a manager, and I'm sure he's going to come here and implement his ideas. He's a legend of the club, and I'm sure the fans will get right behind him, but I must say, with him and all of his coaching staff, I've been really impressed this week."
Future Hinges on Contract Terms
What lies ahead for Maguire at Manchester United remains unclear, with reports suggesting that whether an extension is finalised will depend significantly on what terms the club presents to the defender regarding wages and contract duration. The coming months will prove crucial as both parties navigate this contractual crossroads.
The situation presents Manchester United with a complex decision regarding a player who has experienced both significant investment and recent challenges, while simultaneously enjoying the respect and admiration of multiple key figures within the club's recent management structure.
