Danny Murphy believes Eddie Howe should consider signing Manchester United misfit Harry Maguire. Erik ten Hag’s arrival has limited the 29-year-old’s first-team opportunities this season.
Just four Premier League starts - and a lack of form for the Red Devils - has raised questions about his Old Trafford career. However, Maguire restored his reputation to an extent with a commendable World Cup campaign with England.
Raphael Varane and summer signing Lisandro Martinez have forged a formidable partnership to help Man United climb up the table. With two years left on his contract, Maguire’s exit appears inevitable this summer if a sizable chunk of the £85million transfer fee is to be recouped.
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Former Liverpool midfielder Murphy has urged Newcastle to consider the defender. Sven Botman and Fabian Schar have also been in impregnable form in the Toon backline.
The Magpies boast the best defensive record in the top flight, conceding just 11 goals all season. Despite this, Murphy thinks Howe “could do a lot worse” than sign the under-fire centre-back.
“No (whether Maguire has a future at Old Trafford),” Murphy told talkSPORT. “But he has a good future somewhere else. He’s still a great talent.
“He has leadership qualities he's learned at (Man) United. Yes, he's had a little bad spell, but a lot of it has been good. He's done brilliantly on the international stage at big tournaments. He's great on set plays.
“He's a good character. He's not a big-time Charlie. He's humble. He looks like a great lad. Good family, a good support network around him. He's going to have many takers.
“It wouldn't surprise me if someone like Eddie Howe went for Maguire as another centre-back choice for them. A club like Newcastle could do a lot worse than getting someone like Maguire in.”
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