West Ham United transfer news: David Moyes to rescue Manchester United misfit Harry Maguire with move – Paul Brown
David Moyes can rescue the career of Harry Maguire at West Ham if he completes a summer move for the England star, says Paul Brown.
The Manchester United man has fallen out of favour at Old Trafford since the arrival of Erik ten Hag despite previously being regular club captain, and is expected to attract transfer interest from the Hammers during the window [ESPN, 31 May].
The former £80million signing has been backed to experience a career revival at the London Stadium, with Moyes’ track record of coaching defenders considered crucial.
Former Daily Star journalist Brown told GIVEMESPORT: “David Moyes knows his centre-backs, he has a great track record of making a success of all the defenders he’s had at his clubs.
“There are very few really that stand out that he hasn’t been able to get much out of. I do feel that if David Moyes got ahold of Harry Maguire, that could be great for his career.
“He would certainly get minutes if he went to West Ham and I think he’d have a manager who really believes in him by playing every week.”
Rescue
Maguire may still be getting picked for England by Gareth Southgate but his star has fallen a long way in Manchester, starting just eight Premier League games this season.
Arguably never suited to the style of play at the club he has become a lightning rod for criticism and looks like he needs a way out.
There is no way West Ham would be paying anything like the world-record fee for a defender that he cost when leaving Leicester in 2019, but if he is of little use to Ten Hag then Moyes may be able to help him find his previous form.
Given one of the criticisms of the Irons boss this season was his inability to switch from a counter-attacking style to a more expansive brand of play, it would be no surprise for the Scot to revert to what he does best if the board decide to stick with him.
Winning the Europa Conference League would appear to give him a strong chance of remaining in place, even if that is suddenly less certain than previously [Guardian, 2 June].
Having Maguire in a deeper back line where his lack of speed on the turn isn’t so easily exploited might be a marriage made in heaven, but the European final and a decision from the West Ham board needs negotiating first before the chance of a high-profile summer signing can become a reality.
And with one Three Lions leader likely to be headed in the other direction with Declan Rice’s exit apparently nearing, bringing in another to fill the void may not be a bad idea.