Man Utd legend urges club to make Harry Maguire future decision amid contract dilemma

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Manchester United legend Steve Bruce has urged the club to give Harry Maguire a new contract. Maguire, 32, sees his current deal expire in June, putting him on course to become a free agent.

The defender has been ever present since Michael Carrick's appointment as interim manager, starting all six games and helping the Red Devils keep three clean sheets. But no decision has been made over his future, with the clock ticking down on his £190,000 per week contract.

Speaking to the Mail , Bruce sees no reason why Maguire shouldn't be given an extension. "I wouldn't be surprised if he gets offered a new deal," the former United captain said.

"Why wouldn't you? I think centre-halves get better with age. I wouldn't be surprised if he went to the World Cup either.

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"He's got good experience, he's played at the highest level, he's never let England down either. And he's given a reminder of just what he's about over the last five, six weeks in particular, if he ever needed to."

Bruce also argued that the ex-Leicester star has been made a scapegoat at Old Trafford. "I believe Harry has been made the whipping boy for too long," the three-time Premier League winner went on to say.

"I don't think he's ever let Man United down. In that fact, he's never let England down either. As I said, I think he became a whipping boy for what was going on around him."

Maguire was initially due to be out of contract last season before United triggered a one-year extension clause. With Casemiro confirmed to be leaving this summer, the Red Devils will be reluctant to lose any more experience.

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However, the decision could depend on who United appoint as their next permanent manager. The 32-year-old is evidently in favour under Carrick, but a coach who employs a different style - such as a high defensive line - may well prefer centre-backs with more pace than Maguire, whose strengths are in other areas.

For now, though, Carrick is the favourite to become the Red Devils' next permanent boss. Bruce added: "Look, he's put himself in pole position, even after six weeks.

"He's been quite refreshing in his way and the one thing I've said about him, he understands Man United. I don't mean that disrespectfully at all to anybody coming in, but you don't realise how big a club it is and how the scrutiny on you is like no other.

"As soon as you walk in there, you're in the spotlight; everything is analysed and he understands the club that way after playing for it for 13 years, this cool, calm demeanour that he's got."

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