Manchester United and Harry Maguire have initiated preliminary talks over a contract extension. In January this year, the club activated a one-year extension option in Maguire’s contract, extending his deal until June 2026. The English center-back is eager to secure a new agreement at Old Trafford.
By activating the extension option, Maguire currently maintains the salary level agreed upon when he joined from Leicester City six years ago. However, the launch of new contract negotiations means United is expected to adjust his salary structure, which will usually become the focus of negotiations between the two parties.
The 32-year-old Maguire was at the peak of his career when he joined Manchester for a record £80 million six years ago; now, his career has entered a new phase. This means the club is almost unlikely to renew his contract at the current salary level, and the new deal will more truly reflect his role in the dressing room and market value.
Matt Hargreaves, United’s Director of Football Negotiations, will hold discussions with Maguire’s team in the coming months. Insiders speak highly of Hargreaves, who is proficient in both player psychology and commercial negotiations, and is regarded as an indispensable professional for the club.
This shrewd negotiation expert is expected to put forward a reasonable offer. Given that both sides are willing to continue their cooperation, the possibility of finally reaching a consensus is high. The length of the contract will be a key issue: Maguire may prefer a long-term 3-year deal, while the club, considering he will turn 33 in March next year, may lean towards a short 1-year contract. A compromise could be a 2-year deal—although Maguire is not an absolute regular in the Premier League this season, he can still contribute valuable experience.
Last season, when United performed poorly as a team (eventually finishing 15th), Maguire was one of the few players who consistently maintained reliable performances. Although he missed games repeatedly due to a training collision injury, muscle problems, and calf discomfort (injuries that were uncommon in the early stages of his career), a new 2-year contract is still valuable given the leadership he has demonstrated at the Carrington Training Ground.
