Neil Moxley shares ‘untenable’ Harry Maguire transfer verdict ahead of West Ham United move
West Ham manager David Moyes will help get Harry Maguire’s career back on track after the centre-back’s position at Manchester United “had become untenable”, according to Sunday People journalist Neil Moxley.
Maguire has slipped down the pecking order at Old Trafford since Erik ten Hag’s appointment at the start of last season and is widely expected to depart before the transfer window shuts on 1 September.
West Ham had hoped to sign the England international ahead of their Premier League opener against Bournemouth on Saturday [12 August], but they remain confident of a deal – in the region of £30million – going through soon [Claret and Hugh].
“His position had become untenable at Manchester United,” Moxley wrote in his column on 13 August [Sunday People, page 55].
Moxley believes it is a transfer that suits all parties involved, including England manager Gareth Southgate.
“David Moyes will boost his confidence. And he now has a leader in the Hammers’ dressing room. Good move for both. And Gareth Southgate.”
Moyes the man for Maguire
West Ham boss Moyes has a knack for getting the best out of out-of-confidence players, not least Maguire’s former Manchester United team-mate Jesse Lingard.
After flattering to deceive for so long at Old Trafford, Lingard directly contributed to 13 goals in 16 Premier League games during a short loan spell at the London Stadium in 2020-21 [WhoScored], helping to temporarily revive his career.
Maguire plays in a different position, of course, but there is no reason why the same cannot be true for the 30-year-old once his switch to East London goes through.
While he may have struggled for games under Ten Hag last season, he still did a job when called upon by the Dutchman, as well as consistently impressing at the back for England.
Indeed, Maguire led the way among United players last season in terms of clearances per 90 in the Premier League with 4.82, while his tackles won percentage of 80 was bettered only by Aaron Wan-Bissaka (92%) [FBref].
Maguire is still more than capable of doing a job in the Premier League, then, and he will also bring some much-needed leadership qualities that Moyes could desperately do with following Declan Rice’s move to Arsenal, making it the perfect transfer all-around.
In other West Ham news, the Irons are reportedly close to confirming the signing of Southampton skipper James Ward-Prowse.