According to BBC Sport, Manchester United has no plans to loan Harry Maguire to West Ham this month, and Erik ten Hag still believes that the defender will play an important role this year.
Since Ten Hag’s arrival, the Red Devils’ captain has slipped down the pecking order, starting only one of United’s last four Premier League games since the World Cup.
Lisandro Martinez initially replaced Maguire in the lineup, but more recently, Ten Hag has preferred to use Luke Shaw at the left center-back position alongside Raphael Varane.
With Victor Lindelof also one of Ten Hag’s many alternatives at defence, the 29-year-old is currently the club’s fourth-choice centre-back, and there have been rumours that they may be willing to sell him.
Following his sighting near Aston Villa’s training facility, the England international was rumoured to be the target of an outrageous bid, and West Ham was also considering an approach.
The Hammers did speak with their United management to discuss the prospect of sending Maguire out on loan until the end of the current campaign.
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West Ham believed United may be cooperative to the idea of doing the same with Maguire since they were aware of how effective a similar loan deal for Jesse Lingard was a few years back.
However, the Hammers were told that there was “no chance” that Maguire would join them this month, and their approach was dismissed.
United does not want to jeopardise their squad depth because they are still involved in three cup tournaments and may even compete for the Premier League title.
Ten Hag believes that Maguire still has a vital role to play at the club, both this season and beyond, despite his recent lack of playing time.
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Meanwhile, West Ham has been affected by a defensive injury crisis, with summer signing Nayef Aguerd limited to only two starts for the club and Angelo Ogbonna making only four appearances.
