2 min read
Football Insider

Manchester United Reportedly Targeting Nottingham Forest Star for Potential Harry Maguire Replacement

Manchester United are reportedly eyeing up a Nottingham Forest star as a potential Harry Maguire replacement. The England centre-back is out of contract at Old Trafford this summer, with the Red Devils turning their attention to young talent in the wake of Maguire's potential departure.

Manchester United Reportedly Targeting Nottingham Forest Star for Potential Harry Maguire Replacement

Manchester United are reportedly eyeing up a Nottingham Forest star as a potential Harry Maguire replacement. The England centre-back is out of contract at Old Trafford this summer, with the 32-year-old set to become a free agent. As the Red Devils continue to look to sign young talent, they have turned their attention to an in-demand Premier League defender.Back in October, Maguire scored the winner for United against Liverpool in one of the few standout wins of the Ruben Amorim era. The former Leicester City man has been at the Red Devils since 2018 but he does not know if this is his last season at the club.At the time, he said, "I've been here seven years now, so it's been tough not getting that win. It's been on my mind a little bit, to be honest. I'm in my last year now, so this could be the last time I played at Anfield for this club, so it's really important that I've come here and ticked that one off."This came a few months on from United triggering a one-year extension to keep Maguire at the club until 2026.Last August, he said about his future: "Last year, the clause was in their hands, so there was no option for me there. There was no talking. It was just that they activated it, and it got extended. This year, obviously I'm up at the end of the year. I'm pretty sure the club have made it aware this summer that I can't leave the club on any terms with other clubs enquiring about my things and my position with my contract. I'm sure over the next few months they'll sit down and we'll have to have a conversation about where we want to go and if they want to extend, or obviously the transfer window will open again in January. Obviously, I have something in my mind about what I want to do and what I want to be. I don't want to put it out there to everybody, but it's an amazing club to play for and you'd be silly if you wanted to jump out of it as soon as you could."According to the Daily Mail, Forest centre-back Murillo is one of the players being considered by United as they seek a new defender for next season. The Brazilian is reportedly open to leaving Forest next summer despite signing a deal until 2029 a year ago and his family being settled in Nottingham. The report adds that the Red Devils are preparing for the departure of Maguire but whether they can sign Murillo is another question as he will not be available on the cheap.Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!During Erik ten Hag's United tenure, the Dutchman was prepared to let Maguire leave, with West Ham interested. Instead, he knuckled down and managed to fight his way back into the starting XI. Injuries have limited his game time in recent seasons but many fans have now warmed to the big defender. This term, he has played just 10 times, scoring two goals, and for the time being, a new contract offer does not seem to be forthcoming. Whether he stays at United - who have young central defenders in Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven, along with Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs De Ligt, next season is up in the air.Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingUnited are preparing for the beginning of Michael Carrick's interim boss tenure following Amorim's sacking earlier this month. The former United midfielder's first game in charge will be the Manchester derby on Saturday at Old Trafford, followed by a clash with league leaders Arsenal. Incidentally, Maguire will hope to feature for the Red Devils soon enough.

1

Manchester United's Search for Defensive Reinforcements

Manchester United are actively looking to bolster their defensive line as they prepare for the possible departure of Harry Maguire, who is currently in the final year of his contract with the club. With Maguire's future uncertain, the Red Devils have set their sights on Nottingham Forest's Brazilian centre-back Murillo as a potential replacement.

2

Maguire's Uncertain Future at Old Trafford

Harry Maguire's future at Manchester United has been the subject of speculation, with the 32-year-old yet to confirm whether he will remain at the club beyond the current season. Despite triggering a one-year extension last year, Maguire's contract situation remains unresolved, prompting United to explore alternative defensive options.

3

Erik ten Hag's Influence and Maguire's Resurgence

During Erik ten Hag's tenure at United, there were talks of Maguire potentially leaving the club, with interest from other Premier League sides. However, the defender showcased his determination and fought his way back into the starting lineup. Although injuries have impacted his playing time, Maguire has regained the trust of many fans with his performances this season.

4

Michael Carrick's Interim Reign and Transfer Speculations

As Michael Carrick takes charge of Manchester United in an interim capacity following Ruben Amorim's departure, the club faces crucial decisions regarding player contracts and potential transfers. The upcoming matches, including the Manchester derby and a clash with league leaders Arsenal, could shape the narrative around Maguire's future at the club.

5

Looking Ahead

With Manchester United actively monitoring defensive targets like Murillo from Nottingham Forest, the club is positioning itself for a potential reshuffle in the backline. As the Red Devils seek to secure long-term defensive stability, the summer transfer window promises to be an intriguing period for fans and players alike.

Published on Jan 15, 2026