Harry Maguire has been backed to bid farewell to Manchester United sooner rather than later despite his impressive renaissance over recent weeks.
The centre-back has endured an extremely tricky season with a number of mistakes having seen him fall out of favour under Erik ten Hag and usurped in the pecking order by Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane. The Red Devils’ captain has been limited to just nine outings for United this season - a count that includes just three starts in the Premier League.
Despite that, Maguire has managed to stage an incredible comeback over recent weeks, shining for England at the World Cup ahead of the Three Lions’ exit at the hands of France. It was suggested that his performances in Qatar could force the defender back into Ten Hag’s plans but former Scotland international McCoist has said that he could quit Old Trafford soon altogether.
Speaking on talkSPORT, McCoist said: “I think he [Maguire] will move. I don’t think he may move, I’ll go one further – I think he WILL move.
“He isn’t going to hang around – he wants to play. I don’t think there are any guarantees that he’s going to march back into the Manchester United team, not in front of [Raphael] Varane and [Lisandro] Martinez.”
It remains to be seen whether Maguire attempts to move away from Old Trafford either in the January transfer window or in the future and indeed who would be interested in the defender. When probed over where the England star could move, McCoist suggested he could potentially end up in North London.
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He continued: “Well, that’s up for debate. Clearly he will want to play.
“Straight away off the top of my head, I’d say he’s good enough for Spurs. Arsenal? Maybe not at this moment in time.
“But he’s been one of England’s best players at the World Cup.”
Maguire has already been sent a message by boss Ten Hag regarding his future ahead of the Premier League returning. Asked if Maguire could leave, the Dutchman replied: "Only if he doesn’t want to be in these circumstances anymore.
"Until that moment, I am happy with him. I have said it to him and you, I can do nothing more. It is up to him to contribute to play himself into the team."
Maguire has two-and-a-half years left on the long-term contract that he penned following his record-breaking switch from Leicester City in 2019 - albeit the Red Devils retaining an option to extend that by a further year. Since arriving at Old Trafford, the now 29-year-old has made 153 appearances for the club but has so far failed to lift a trophy during his time as a Red Devil.
