Manchester United’s squad is rallying behind Harry Maguire, urging the club to offer the 32-year-old defender a new deal before his contract expires this summer. From being heavily criticized to becoming an undisputed dressing room leader, Maguire’s remarkable turnaround has won over his teammates.
Harry Maguire’s turbulent Old Trafford journey has taken another twist. His current £190,000-a-week contract ends in June 2026, making him a free agent—and clubs like AC Milan have shown interest. But according to an exclusive report from The Sun (Feb 14-16, 2026), the United dressing room is “united” in one view: it would be “madness” not to extend Maguire!
An insider source revealed: “The players think it would be madness if he was not offered a new deal. Harry has endured plenty of ups and downs at United but has come through all that and is playing really well. He’s very well-respected in the dressing room and is passing on a lot of knowledge to some of the younger players like Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro. Everyone likes him and respects him and the majority of the players want the club to give him a deal.”
From fan backlash to full squad support—this is the clearest sign yet that Maguire has reclaimed his status as a true leader at Carrington.
Signed for a record £80m from Leicester in 2019, Maguire faced intense scrutiny for errors, injuries, and form dips—losing the captaincy in 2023 was a low point. Yet, he’s enjoyed a renaissance this season, delivering consistent performances and helping solidify United’s defense amid a rebuild.
Beyond on-pitch contributions, Maguire mentors the next generation: guiding talents like Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro on positioning, leadership, and mentality. The current United squad is tight-knit, and Maguire’s voice carries weight—explaining the strong push from teammates.
Multiple outlets (Sky Sports, Goal.com, Manchester Evening News, Tribal Football) echoed The Sun: the dressing room sees letting Maguire leave for free as a huge mistake—losing a reliable veteran, spiritual leader, and youth influencer.
For INEOS/Sir Jim Ratcliffe, it’s complicated. United prioritize youth and wage control; they won’t match his current £190k/week. Any new offer would likely feature a reduced base salary (£120-150k/week range) with performance bonuses and a 1-2 year term. Maguire is reportedly open to a pay cut to stay—he wants to finish his career at United.
Without an extension, he could depart as a free agent in summer 2026, attracting PL or European interest. But with dressing room backing, pressure mounts on the board: keep him for stability or push full youth rebuild?
From “punchline” to “dressing room hero”—Harry Maguire’s United story is one of resilience and redemption. His teammates’ united call for a new contract proves he’s earned real respect through grit, form, and leadership.
Now, the ball is with INEOS: listen to the squad and reward loyalty, or prioritize the future? Whatever happens, Maguire has already won big—regaining the love and admiration of his peers and fans.