Alex Crook shares ‘feeding on scraps’ verdict as West Ham United deal for Harry Maguire falls through
There are no winners after the deal to bring Manchester United defender Harry Maguire to West Ham fell through, according to talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook.
The East London club had agreed a £30million deal for the England international, according to Sky Sports (10 August).
But as per Fabrizio Romano (29 August), the Hammers have decided to leave the race for his signature this summer, as things stand.
“I think Erik ten Hag has always made it clear to Maguire that he’d like him to stay and fight for his future,” Crook said live on talkSPORT.
“But I actually don’t think that there are any winners from this situation because Maguire is not going to play much football when everybody is fit, although Raphael Varane is going to be out for a few weeks we understand.
“But Victor Lindelof is ahead of him anyway, Luke Shaw has been used as a centre-back, so in a European Championship year Maguire is going to be feeding on scraps.
“Manchester United have got a very highly paid player that is really just clocking up a place on the bench, when really they could have recruited somebody else in one of those positions they are in need of. So I’m not sure this is ideal for anyone that Maguire is staying.”
Missed opportunity
Maguire really should have jumped at the opportunity to leave Manchester United this summer, with the defender set for another season of being handed minutes in the less-important competitions.
It is clear that Varane and Lisandro Martinez are Ten Hag’s first choice centre-back pairing, with Lindelof and left-back Shaw next in line.
Maguire is undoubtedly earning plenty of money at the Old Trafford club, which may be his incentive to stay for as long as possible.
The Hammers would not have been able to match Manchester United’s offer, but they would have been able to give him more time on the pitch.
And that should be the player’s priority right now, with his place in Gareth Southgate’s England team definitely under threat.
West Ham are looking strong in the Premier League, and they also have Europa League football incoming, and Maguire would have undoubtedly played a key role in both competitions under David Moyes.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers have held talks for a new striker, with a loan or permanent deal possible.