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Three Premier League clubs that Harry Maguire would improve in January
If Harry Maguire’s Manchester United career isn’t over, it’s certainly trending in that direction. The 29-year-old enjoyed a positive 2022 World Cup campaign for England, but has returned to his club even further down the pecking order with Luke Shaw impressing as a left-sided centre back in recent matches.
Maguire could find first team opportunities hard to come by over the coming months and might be tempted by a transfer away from Old Trafford in the January window. Here are three Premier League teams who would be improved by the signing of the Manchester United captain this month.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa might have suffered a shock FA Cup defeat to Stevenage over the weekend, but they are still on an upward trajectory under new manager Unai Emery. Villa are expected to be active in the January transfer window and could do with defensive reinforcements to climb into the top half of the Premier League table.
Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings have been Aston Villa’s first-choice central defensive pairing this season with Diego Carlos sidelined through injury. Maguire would lift the defensive quality within the Villa squad with the 29-year-old already familiar with Mings having played together for England.
Maguire could also be a good tactical fit for Aston Villa who are becoming accustomed to sitting deep and absorbing opposition pressure under Emery. This would suit Maguire whose biggest weakness – a lack of recovery pace – has been exposed by Manchester United’s preference to play a high line.
Leicester City
Leicester City is a club Maguire surely holds an affection for given his history with the King Power Stadium outfit. Indeed, it was with the Foxes that the 29-year-old earned a reputation for himself as one of the best centre backs in the Premier League and a reunion with Brendan Rodgers could be good for his career.
What’s more, Leicester City could be in the market for a new central defender this month with Çaglar Soyuncu reportedly on Atletico Madrid’s radar – the Turkish international is into the final six months of his current contract. Maguire shares many of the same qualities as Soyuncu, making him a good potential replacement.
Much like Aston Villa under Emery, Leicester City play a style of football that would be a better fit for Maguire than that of Manchester United’s. Maguire’s distribution out from the back is also good enough that it would suit Leicester’s counter-attacking approach. A return to the King Power Stadium surely holds some appeal.
West Ham
West Ham are in trouble near the foot of the Premier League table with David Moyes’ team facing a fight against relegation this season. The London Stadium outfit spent a lot of money on attacking additions in the summer transfer window, but they remain relatively weak in their defensive ranks.
Kurt Zouma has been West Ham’s first-choice centre back this term, but Moyes has struggled to find a consistent partner for the Frenchman. Maguire would certainly be an upgrade on Craig Dawson and could step into 32-year-old’s boots as an aerially-dominant, physical central defender.
Moyes’ also likes to get his centre backs forward to provide a threat from set pieces and this is another area where Maguire would tick a box for the Hammers. West Ham need to stop leaking goals and the signing of the England international would help them do that in the second half of the season.
