Man Utd defender Harry Maguire signs new deal; the 33-year-old’s previous contract with the Premier League club was due to expire this summer; Maguire’s new contract, which has the option of a further year, comes after earning an England recall in March.
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has signed a new one-year contract at Old Trafford, with the additional option of a further 12 months.
The 33-year-old’s previous Man Utd deal was due to expire at the end of the season, but he will now extend his Old Trafford stay into an eighth campaign.
Maguire believes Man Utd are “in a forward curve” and said he wants to be part of a special campaign next season.
“It’s amazing,” Maguire said in a club interview. “Obviously, it’s my seventh year. To be at this club, to play for this club for one game is really special. So, to be here seven years – it’s going to be eight – I’m really looking forward to it.
“A big, strong end to the season is the focus now, to put us in a strong position going into next year, and then we’ve got to make next year a lot better and a lot more positive and a lot more special. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Maguire has been ever-present for United since Michael Carrick took charge, helping the club rise to third in the Premier League, and his recent form earned him an England recall last month – his first international appearances in 18 months.
A return to the Champions League is now the clear objective for United. It remains to be seen whether Carrick stays in charge beyond the end of the season, but Maguire is convinced United have turned the corner.
He said: “I feel like we’re in a good place at the moment. I believe we’re in a forward curve with the club, and I want to be part of that.
“I want to leave the club in a good place, when I do leave the club, and that’s the most important thing. It’s not about me, it’s not about individuals. It’s about the team and the club, and wanting to leave the club in a good place.
“I feel like next season could be a special year, if we carry on working hard, if we recruit well in the summer. It’s a big summer ahead, but like I said, focus on this year to make sure we’re in a good position for next year and then make next year a special year.”
Maguire: You can feel ambition and potential of squad
Maguire’s new contract comes after he earned an England recall for the March internationals and featured in both games, raising hopes of making Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad.
Maguire has started every game since Michael Carrick took charge in January and helped with Man Utd’s significant upturn, losing only one of 10 games.
Maguire said: “Representing Manchester United is the ultimate honour. It is a responsibility that makes myself and my family proud every single day.
After signing a new contract for Manchester United, we look at every Premier League goal Maguire has scored for the Red Devils
“I am delighted to extend my journey at this incredible club to at least eight seasons and continue to play in front of our special supporters to create more amazing moments together.
“You can feel the ambition and potential of this exciting squad. The determination throughout the whole club to fight for major trophies is clear for everyone to see and I am confident that our best moments together remain ahead of us.”
Maguire’s new deal will take him into an eighth season at Man Utd, having joined from Leicester in August 2019 for £80m, which remains a world record fee for a defender.
The ex-Hull defender has won the FA Cup and League Cup in his seven years at Old Trafford, where he has made 266 appearances across all competitions and scored 17 goals.
Director of football Jason Wilcox added: “Harry represents the mentality and resilience required to perform for Manchester United. He is the ultimate professional who brings invaluable experience and leadership to our young, ambitious squad.
“Harry, like everyone at the club, is completely determined to help Manchester United to achieve regular and sustained success.”
Kobbie Mainoo is also close to agreeing a new deal at Old Trafford, which will include a significant pay rise.
The proposal for the 20-year-old is a five-year deal to run until 2031. United are keen for his new agreement to better reflect his progression and current status in the first team.
His current contract was signed in 2023 when he was still 17.
Carrick: Maguire knows what it’s all about – he’s been terrific since I came back
Man Utd boss Michael Carrick on Sky Sports:
Michael Carrick says everyone at Manchester United is delighted at the news that Maguire has signed a contract extension to 2027
“We are delighted that Harry has agreed. Stability and consistency, he is important and he has been through everything at this club. He knows what it is all about. He’s been terrific since I came back. Credit to him for that.
“Experience is important. We’ve got a really good mix in the squad of some talented and high-end ability younger players. You’ve got a good number at the peak years.
“Harry is at that stage where he is getting a little bit further down the line in terms of career. But it doesn’t diminish the importance of what he can be, the example and the understanding, knowing what it feels like to be here. Having him around for longer is fantastic for all of us.
“I was part of discussions. It is a little bit unique in terms of the end of the season. In terms of an opinion, I think it is pretty obvious how Harry has been and what he brings to the group. It was not a difficult decision. Everyone that is part of it is delighted that it has worked out and worked out so quickly.”
Analysis: Maguire may have moved on without Carrick appointment
Sky Sports News’ Danyal Khan:
Harry Maguire has become a cult hero at Manchester United.
It can be easy to forget and dismiss the journey Maguire has been on the club since signing in August 2019 for £80m, which remains a world-record fee for a defender.
He was made captain by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer swiftly after his arrival at United but then it felt just as quickly stripped of that same captaincy by Erik ten Hag, who preferred Bruno Fernandes.
After a strong start to his United career, Maguire had to fight back. Not just to win the approval of his manager of his time, but also the crowds he was playing in front of.
Whether that was being booed on a Manchester United pre-season tour in Melbourne or on England duty in Ireland – Maguire could have picked the easy exit.
He could have left in the summer of 2023 with West Ham strongly pursuing him but he decided to stay and fight for his place.
His last 18 months has perhaps epitomised his United career. Adapting and impressing in a system that was flawed under Ruben Amorim but still producing moments United fans will not forget for a long time.
Whether it was the late extra-time winner against Lyon in the Europa League at Old Trafford to seal a 7-6 win on aggregate last season, or Maguire finding himself on the right-wing in Bilbao a few rounds later dribbling like Ronaldinho – his cross largely producing the first goal of an impressive away performance for United.
Fast forward to this season, his winner against Liverpool sealed United’s first win at Anfield since 2016.
Since Carrick’s arrival in January, Maguire has started every game – including two monumental performances in the back-to-back wins against Manchester City and Arsenal.
It is fair to say the centre-back’s future may have been much more uncertain under Amorim and a parting of the ways looked more likely but since Carrick’s return to the club – he has repeatedly insisted and highlighted the importance of Maguire’s experience and leadership.
Seemingly two qualities this United cannot lose if they are to continue to build into next season and for Maguire, it is another chapter of what is an engrossing career – one, whenever it does end at Old Trafford, will be full of admiration from those inside at Old Trafford as well as out.
