Manchester United captain Harry Maguire hasallegedly turned down offers from Barcelona this summer. The 29-years-oldwas heavily criticized after the 2021-22 season, which was a failure for the English giants in large partdue to the defender’serrors.
As a result, his future at Old Trafford was called into question earlier this year, and new manager Erik ten Hag is said to have mulled removing the English defender’s role as team captain. However, theDutchmanhas been nothing but complimentary of Maguire, therefore he will continue in his role as captain for the next 2022-23 season.
Barcelona weresaid to be interested in adding the Englishman to their defensive optionsearlier this summer. The Catalan club havereportedly been trying to add another defender before the transfer market closes.
Why Maguire opted to turn down Barcelona move this summer
English publication The Mirror confirms that Xavi Hernandez‘s team has been interested in bringing the England international to Camp Nou this summer and hadalready contacted the player’s representation.It is said thatMaguirewas brought up in connection with a potential transfer to United for Frenkie de Jong.
Just this week, a group of Red Devilsfans in Thailand and Australia were vocal in their disapproval of Maguire, booing and whistling the experienced centre-back. Nevertheless, asource close to the player told the newspaperthat he flat out rejected a move to Camp Nou, instead opting to focus on turning things around for hiscareer at TheTheatre of Dreamsin the upcoming campaign.
“Some players, especially with some of the criticism flying around, would have been desperate to go if Barcelona came calling. But Harry is unmoved and wants to have a successful season with United. When it comes to mental strength, Harry has it in spades. As usual he will get down to doing what he does best.”
“Harry has proved it in the past, but he has also to prove it in the present and in the future. I will support him everywhere I can. In the end, he has to do it by himself, and he has the qualities to do it. He’s shown it so often in the past. He’s played 60 times for England. Harry is really impressive and I expect a lot from him,” said Ten Hag when asked about his captain.
“But there is also internal competition and that is what a club like United needs. You cannot win with 11 players. We need a squad, especially this season with so many games. We have the Europa League, the Premier League and the World Cup, so we need a full squad with high-quality players, not quantity”, the annonimous source was quoted as saying by The Mirror.