Mail: United ‘expected to make offer’ for £180k-a-week star with agreement now looking ‘increasingly likely’

Manchester United are poised to open formal talks with Harry Maguire over a new contract, with senior figures at Old Traffress now believing a deal to retain the 32-year-old defender is “increasingly likely”, according to MailSport’s Chris Wheeler and Nathan Salt.

Maguire’s present terms, worth £180,000 a week, expire in June, leaving the centre-back free to negotiate with overseas clubs since the turn of the year. AC Milan explored the possibility of a winter move but were informed that Maguire’s preference is to remain in Manchester, where he has spent the past seven years.

Sources close to the negotiations say United will table an offer in the coming weeks, with discussions expected to centre on both the length of the extension and a restructured salary. Despite his current remuneration, Maguire is understood to be willing to accept a “sizeable” reduction in wages to continue at the club he joined from Leicester City in 2019.

The development follows a sharp upturn in Maguire’s form under interim boss Michael Carrick, who has selected the Sheffield-born captain in every match since taking the reins. During that sequence United have collected four wins from five fixtures, recording morale-boosting clean sheets against Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.

Maguire’s resurgence has reignited debate over his international future. Former England captain John Terry has publicly advocated for the defender’s return to the Three Lions squad ahead of March’s friendlies, the first fixtures to be overseen by new head coach Thomas Tuchel. Neither Maguire, left-back Luke Shaw nor teenage midfielder Kobbie Mainoo have featured since Tuchel succeeded Gareth Southgate at the start of 2025.

With four months remaining on his deal, Maguire’s next signature will shape both United’s defensive planning for next season and Tuchel’s defensive options as Euro 2026 qualifying looms.