MAN UNITED CONFIDENTIAL: How Harry Maguire's new contract saved United millions, the truth about Alejandro Garnacho's future and why Rangers' Old Trafford allocation has been cut after 'worst night since the Blitz'
Share:
Harry Maguire's renaissance at Manchester United hasn’t only earned the England defender a contract extension, it is also likely to save the club a packet in the transfer market this summer. Maguire was expected to leave Old Trafford as a free agent along with Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans in June, forcing United to make another big signing in central defence a year after forking out £59million to Lille for Leny Yoro.
![[Maguire has enjoyed a renaissance and was outstanding in United's FA Cup penalty shootout win over Arsenal on Sunday]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/14/16/94087027-14284195-image-a-2_1736873077949.jpg)
But Maguire’s revival this season, particularly since Ruben Amorim took over as head coach and installed him at the heart of a back-three, persuaded United to extend his £190,000-a-week contract until 2026 and may also change their thinking on summer recruitment.
![[United were interested in splashing the cash on Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite but can now look to strengthen other areas of the team instead]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/14/16/94087081-14284195-image-m-4_1736873170342.jpg)
Confidential understands that the club will look at a younger centre-back with potential rather than pay big money for a ready-made replacement like Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite who would have cost around £70million and £160,000-a-week in wages. That will enable United to re-direct their limited transfer funds to other areas of the team at a time when money is tight at Old Trafford.
![[Rangers' request to have more fans at Old Trafford next week has been rejected]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/14/16/94086937-14284195-image-a-5_1736873208354.jpg)
Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez and Yoro are set to continue as United’s pool of centre-backs with Noussair Mazraoui and Luke Shaw – if he stays – both able to play in the back-three. Maguire’s return to form and favour continued at the Emirates on Sunday when he was outstanding in United’s FA Cup win over Arsenal on penalties. The 31-year-old’s performance was even better considering he was ill last week and was sent home from training, missing Friday’s session.
![[United are not expected to entertain offers for Alejandro Garnacho this month]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/14/16/94086935-14284195-image-a-6_1736873253560.jpg)
