It is a few minutes past midnight and Twitter is awash with breaking news that a fee had been accepted for Harry Maguire. If Twitter is anything to go by, Maguire has been having a medical at United for the past two weeks. Somebody should check on him.
Anyway, it is no secret that United are interested in the center back but is he really what we should go after?
Maguire is a tall, strong center back. His frame might deceive but he is incredibly good with the ball at his feet and is adept at finding those passes into midfield that completely open up the opposition. When looking at it in that way, Maguire is the perfect defender, the perfect piece to fit in Solskjaer's jig-saw puzzle.
The fee that is being quoted is probably not justified but most United fans will readily admit to that fact. However, if last season is anything to go by, we cannot simply rely on Smalling and Jones as a center back pairing. Both are extremely edgy, poor with the ball at their feet, especially the enigma that is Smalling. He is the definition of 'old school defender.' He literally risks dislocating his hip whenever he attempts a pass.
Is Maguire Better Than What United Has Got?
That is a big, fat yes.
Currently, United are stacked in defence with Smalling, Jones, Rojo, Tuanzebe, Lindeloff and Bailly. If United sign Maguire Smalling, Jones and Rojo simply have to leave the club either now, January or next season. Frankly, the sooner the better.
While watching the Inter pre-season game it was massively evident that United still struggle to defend set-pieces. It doesn't help that De Gea isn't comfortable coming out to get the ball. He is an excellent shot stopper but he does fall short in that department.
A Maguire - Lindeloff partnership is likely to solve that pesky issue and equally give United more attacking threat in the opposition 18-yard box. That is one of Maguire's top qualities on account of his massive dome.
Conclusion
While the quoted fee is unjustifiable, we cannot simply afford to go into the next season with what we have in defense.
Jones, Bailly and Rojo are all injury prone players with the latter being quite reckless in challenges. Smalling is rubbish and struggles to even pass the ball 5 meters.
In with the new and out with the old. Solskjaer is doing quite a good job based on how the players have performed in the pre-season games.
I am super excited to see what the final team will be at the close of the transfer window.
Do you think the Maguire deal will be done, and will he improve the Manchester United back line?