Richard Keys blasts Man United decision on Harry Maguire after West Ham United transfer development
Richard Keys has criticised Manchester United for not doing “the right things” by helping Harry Maguire to join West Ham.
Maguire was strongly linked with a move to West Ham throughout the summer transfer window, but he ultimately stayed put at Old Trafford.
However, beIN SPORTS anchor Keys believes joining the Hammers would have been the better option for the England centre-back.
“I’m certain that Harry Maguire would be at West Ham now had Utd done the right things & helped him leave,” Keys posted on Twitter on Thursday [14 September].
“Maguire is a top class guy. He’s never uttered a negative word about his current employers despite rarely being treated properly by them. Utd fans should be proud of him.”
“Very close”
Maguire’s name is back in the headlines after being mocked and jeered by Scotland fans during England’s 3-1 friendly win at Ibrox on Tuesday [12 September], a game in which he scored an own goal.
West Ham coach Kevin Nolan confirmed to talkSPORT on Wednesday [13 September] that the Irons were “very close” to signing the 30-year-old, but “the money didn’t get sorted”.
Quite what that means is unknown. Were the Irons unwilling to match Man United’s valuation – which goes against what was widely reported this time last month – or was it a case of not agreeing terms with the player himself?
Whatever happened, Maguire missed out on the chance of reviving his career at the London Stadium, where he would have had the full support of around 57,000 fans every other week.
It will be interesting to see if David Moyes goes back in for the centre-back in 2024, but that ship may well have sailed after the disappointing and drawn-out saga this summer.
In other West Ham news, Maguire has spoken for the first time since the move to West Ham fell through.