Newcastle United was advised that they should have signed Harry Maguire.
Shay Given, a former Newcastle United goalkeeper, believes the Magpies should have signed Harry Maguire.
Throughout the summer transfer window, Harry Maguire’s future was a hot topic. The former Manchester United captain was connected with a number of English clubs. However, United’s asking price and his pay proved to be far too high in the end. And the 30-year-old must stay with the Red Devils through the 2023-24 season.
Maguire fell down the pecking order after Erik ten Hag arrived. Despite being the team’s captain, the England international saw limited playing time during the 2022-23 season. Maguire was deprived of his captaincy by the Dutch management weeks after the season ended.
The club even informed the 30-year-old that he was no longer needed and was free to seek employment elsewhere. Even United attempted to find a solution, but things did not go as planned.
Newcastle United was one of the clubs linked with the Manchester United defender. The Magpies were looking for depth in the center of their defense, and the 30-year-old’s services piqued their interest.
However, the Magpies were focused on other goals and were able to secure the majority of the players they desired. However, they never made a serious attempt to sign the England international. According to Shay Given, here is where they went wrong.
Given told Sky Sports News through HITC: “I think the business has been good.” If I’m being honest, I might have looked at centre-half.
“People like Harry Maguire.” Would he have entered and assisted them in the back? [Fabian] Schar has had injury issues, [Sven] Botman is questionable for this weekend, and [Dan] Burn came into the back last weekend, so they could have strengthened there.”
The 47-year-old believes Eddie Howe should have signed the Manchester United defender who is no longer needed at Old Trafford. Given claimed that they would have benefited from another center-back in the long run.
With Fabian Schar prone to injury, adding Maguire to the mix alongside Sven Botman and Dan Burn would have given them the much-needed depth. It would have allowed Howe to rotate his centre-backs and keep them fresh for big games. And, since the Magpies are back in the Champions League after ages, Maguire would have been surely of great help.
