Gary Neville's Manchester United blueprint for Harry Maguire is no longer viable

Manchester United's club captain Harry Maguire has endured a difficult couple of seasons at Old Trafford.

In 2021-22, Maguire was targeted as the root of United's problems as the Reds leaked goals. In hindsight, the defence as a whole could have taken their equal share of the blame.

But, it is hard to argue against the fact Erik ten Hag's new look backline has looked stronger without the English centre-back. Maguire was demoted to fourth choice and the partnership of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane is the Reds' future.

Thanks to the success of the United's defence this season, MEN Sport understands Maguire is a player who Ten Hag is wanting to move on to make room for new recruits. But reports elsewhere have suggested the 30-year-old will be reluctant to move on in the transfer window.

ALSO READ: Neville is being proven right by Ten Hag's transfer strategy

Back in January, the Manchester Evening News reported Maguire wished to stay at United to win a trophy and this was why he did not leave on deadline day. Should the unlikely happen and Maguire remains in Manchester, former Reds captain Gary Neville outlined a route to redemption for the centre-back at the Qatar World Cup.

He explained to Sky Sports: "Harry is a good player. He’s a good centre-back and has been brilliant at the last two tournaments. He’s just had an awful time at United over the last 12 months. United is a very unforgiving place, I know that from being there for 20 years.

"If you just don’t get it right and if something’s not right, that place can eat you alive, it really can – and Harry is just getting that at this moment in time. But I think Harry will come through it at United. Look at Marcus [Rashford]."

While United fans would like to see