West Ham United charm offensive to sign Manchester United defender Harry Maguire fully under way
In the week that Harry Maguire has made headlines for the abuse he has received, it is notable that a number of West Ham figures have given their public support to the Manchester United and England centre-back.
Hammers coach Kevin Nolan talked up Maguire’s qualities as he opened up on United’s failed bid to land the 30-year-old in the summer, while Michail Antonio launched a pretty impassioned – if not hypocritical – defence of his own.
West Ham great Tony Gale, who has close ties to the club, also described Maguire as a “very good footballer” who does not deserve the abuse he is currently on the end of.
These comments were all said in isolation, but it may well be part of a charm offensive by the club as part of a longer-term plan to sign Maguire from Man United.
As we all know by now, Maguire decided against joining the club in the summer after failing to agree terms of a pay-off with his current employers, who had accepted the Irons’ £30million offer [Sky Sports].
Many will feel it is time to move on from that saga, especially with Konstantinos Mavropanos having since arrived at London Stadium, but United will continue to be linked with Maguire through January and into next summer should he still be at Old Trafford.
If those connected to the club, such as Nolan, Antonio and Gayle, continue their public displays of affection for Maguire, that will not go unnoticed by the player.
All that is left now is for David Moyes to himself defend Maguire when he speaks to the press ahead of the visit of Manchester City on Saturday [16 September].
Maguire really will feel loved then, albeit at a club he rejected the chance to join this time last month.
In other West Ham news, Moyes may want to think twice about starting Mohammed Kudus against Man City this weekend.