Harry Maguire slammed in ‘architect of his own demise’ verdict after ‘really good’ West Ham United offer
Harry Maguire is the “architect of his own demise” after turning down a move to West Ham, according to The Daily Telegraph’s Luke Edwards.
The Manchester United man had a “really good” offer to join the Hammers in the summer transfer window, Edwards added.
The 30-year-old central defender has remained at Manchester United, but has played just 23 minutes so far this season.
“Maguire should have left Manchester United, he should have just given it up,” Edwards said on the Football Gossip Daily podcast (14 September). “He had a really good offer from West Ham.
“I think a move there would have been ideal for him to go and play for a manager like David Moyes, get that fresh start, get out of that kind of toxic work environment that he’s in.
“There is a good player still in there, but where I lost sympathy for him was when a move to West Ham was there for him to make, and he stayed at Manchester United.
“At his age, I would want to be playing every week, and he needed a fresh start, so in that respect, he is the architect of his own demise in some ways, because he’s not playing regularly for Manchester United, he’s still not getting a game there.”
Poor choice
It really was a poor decision from Maguire to stay at Old Trafford for another season, with the defender seemingly well down the pecking order under Erik ten Hag.
The manager has made it abundantly clear that the 30-year-old is way down the list behind the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof.
Even left-back Luke Shaw has been picked ahead of Maguire in the position in recent times, further emphasising Ten Hag’s feelings about the latter.
Of course the England man should be handed some form of credit for seemingly wanting to stay in Manchester and fight for his place, but it can also be perceived as a foolish decision given the lack of minutes he is in for over the coming months.
That lack of minutes also looks set to have an impact on his place in the England national team, particulalry amid the rise of fellow centre-backs Marc Guehi, Lewis Dunk and Levi Colwill.
In other West Ham news, a journalist believes the club are “stronger” without Declan Rice as “positive” early signs emerge.