Erik ten Hag is told he is making a mistake letting Harry Maguire leave

'He’s probably got a bigger part to play than people think'

Maguire is reportedly free to leave United this summer and has been linked with a move to West Ham, who had a bid for the defender rejected.

The England international was also stripped of the captaincy and replaced by Bruno Fernandes at the start of the season and is expected to be the fourth choice defender at the club when everyone is available.

Despite seemingly being deemed surplus to requirements, Maguire is said to be willing to stay and fight for his place and according to ex-Man United and England forward, Alan Smith, keeping the 30-year-old at the club may be a better option for Ten Hag.

Speaking to Gambling Zone, he said: "Realistically I think Harry Maguire knows he’s not going to play every game, he’s probably come to terms with that. But I think it will be up to Harry if he stays or goes.

"I suspect Ten Hag doesn’t want him to go because to go close you want those type of people at your club. He could play 20 games and be really consistent.

"When he first came there was a lot of pressure after that price tag to give him the armband anyway, and both pressures must have been difficult for him. It might help him to release some pressure if he stays.

"You look at other clubs, and to compete you need four class centre-backs to compete or at least three. He’s probably got a bigger part to play than people think. If they want to win the league and be successful in Europe they will need strength in depth. It will be up to Maguire if he needs first-team football every week.

"If I were the manager I would want to keep him, but as a player he probably wants to play every week."

United are reportedly interested in the likes of Nice centre back Jean-Clair Tobido and wantaway Bayern Munich defender, Benjamin Pavard.

Related links:

• Man United set to delay decision on Mason Greenwood return
• Man United line up French replacement as Harry Maguire fee agreed with West Ham
• Rio Ferdinand: ‘Harry Maguire needs a new challenge’