Harry Maguire deserves new Man Utd contract but it could be the end for unreliable duo

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Recent tradition dictates that Manchester United don't often make the right decision. But in the case of Harry Maguire, they certainly have done.

Ending speculation over his future United have handed him a new contract. It will keep him at Old Trafford until 2027, and perhaps 12 months longer if he continues to perform to a high level.

Which is exactly what Maguire did to earn his contract extension in the first place. The duration of the deal could take Maguire past the age of 35, meaning he has committed what remains of his career to a club he hopes will help him win some big trophies before hanging up his boots. It is a fitting reward for a defender who has endured quite the rollercoaster ride since joining United in 2019.

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Back then the deal made him the most expensive defender in world football, usurping Virgil van Dijk. However, the problem he had was that certain managers not only didn't rate him as one of the best defenders on the planet, they didn't always rate him as one of the best defenders at the club.

Most notable was Erik ten Hag, who went as far as to strip Maguire of the United captaincy. But while managers have come and gone during Maguire's time at United, the 33-year-old remained steadfast in his determination to prove he deserved to be at the club.

The sacking of Ruben Amorim at the start of 2026 proved to be the break Maguire needed. Maguire was not always first choice in the mind of Amorim. But Michael Carrick returned on on interim basis and took the sensible decision to value Maguire's experience and leadership.

Maguire has responded with some consistent performances. The one which stood out more than most was Maguire's display in helping United win at bitter rivals Liverpool several months ago. Since then, he has gone on to be one of the best English defenders in the Premier League.

He has earned a recall to the England squad ahead of the World Cup. And he should be on the plane to the United States at the start of June.

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In the meantime, United's decision to commit to Maguire will spell bad news for the likes of Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt. While Maguire can be relied upon moving forward, this duo cannot.

De Ligt has been missing in action for months on end, and when it comes to woeful fitness problems due to constant injuries, Martinez is not far behind him.

Expect the pair to be heading out of Old Trafford this summer if buyers can be found. Maguire, meanwhile, continues to be the rock around which United's defence is built.

And despite approaching the twilight of his career, Maguire could still have his best and most successful seasons ahead of him.