Why Harry Maguire will be the answer to Jose Mourinho’s defensive dilemma
Manchester United are aiming to complete one last signing before the transfer window shuts this week. According to Express Sport, Jose Mourinho is interested in signing a new centre-back with the Red Devils linked with Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng and Leicester City centre-back Harry Maguire.
Both the players will cost a significantly large fee, meaning United must break the bank. A report from The Independent has claimed that the Foxes are looking for a fee in the region of £75m, which is what Liverpool paid for Virgil van Dijk. Boateng, on the other hand, will cost in the region of €60m, as per The Guardian.
The Red Devils have also been linked with Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld but there’s no certainty as to whether a deal will materialize in the next few days (h/t Express Sport). But it would seem far better for Mourinho to go for the Leicester man.
Harry Maguire is the youngest of the trio at 25 and can serve as a long-term option. Boateng is definitely an experienced defender but the German will turn 30 this year, meaning United would have to look for another defender sooner rather than later.
Maguire has been in top form for both club and country over the last year. The English defender has come a long way since facing the drop with Hull City, establishing himself as a fan favourite at King Power Stadium as well as cementing his place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
It has truly been a fantastic year for the 25-year-old who keeps getting better with time. Maguire is a tall, strong and agile centre-back who possesses all the qualities to flourish under Mourinho. After all, the Portuguese manager is known to field committed, tough-tackling defenders, which is exactly why Maguire fits the bill.
The former Hull City defender played every single minute of last season’s Premier League campaign, scoring 2 goals and providing 4 assists in that time. He poses a major goal threat from set-pieces and his aerial prowess could make him a huge favourite under Mourinho.
Meanwhile, Boateng scored 1 goal and provided 2 assists in 19 league games for Bayern last season. However, the centre-back doesn’t possess Maguire’s penchant for providing attacking threats.
Maguire averaged 1.7 tackles in the league last season, with the German averaging 1.4. Maguire is also calmer and composed on the ball. The former Hull City man is quite fast when compared to Boateng, with and without the ball at his feet.
(Stats via Who Scored)
Read more: 3 things Mourinho needs to do to avoid a disaster season at Manchester United
As Mourinho faces a race against time before the window shuts, he should certainly make a move for Maguire. The defender is set to become one of the best centre-backs England has seen over the years and Mourinho cannot afford to miss out on this chance.
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