Stuart Pearce and Tony Cascarino both feel Harry Maguire needs to leave Manchester United with a trio of clubs urged to sign the defender.
Maguire, 29, has been overlooked by United chief Erik ten Hag this season. He has made only three starts among six Premier League appearances. And a decent showing for England at the recent World Cup seems to have had no effect on his standing at Old Trafford.
Having been a regular starter since joining United from Leicester City in the summer of 2019, Maguire is now among the substitutes.
Indeed, left-back Luke Shaw has been preferred to the former Hull City man since the Premier League resumption.
That selection snub is a further kick in the teeth for the man with 53 Three Lions caps.
And Cascarino believes Ten Hag’s decision to overlook the centre at the weekend should be the final straw.
“If you were Maguire sitting there as a centre-back and he’s got Luke Shaw in front of him, he will be thinking ‘I’ve got to leave Old Trafford’,” he told talkSPORT.
“He might say it’s a tactical decision for whatever reason. Diego Costa was up front for Wolves. You’d like to think Harry Maguire would like to battle with Costa.
“They’ve won the game so it’s not been an issue. For Harry Maguire, he will only be thinking how he’s so far down the pecking order.”
And the ex-Chelsea striker believes he will be looking for an exit strategy in the summer.
“I think it will be very difficult to get Harry Maguire out. If it’s a loan it is more likely,” added Cascarino.
“At the end of the season, Maguire will look elsewhere. He’s playing for England and wants to be a regular.”
Maguire still attractive for Premier League clubs
Maguire has enjoyed 155 outings in all competitions for the Red Devils. But it was clear his form dipped last season, with fans getting on the Sheffield-born star’s back at times.
He has not been given much of an opportunity to put things right this term despite featuring in Qatar.
It appears as though Ten Hag’s stance is not going to change. An exit seems inevitable and Pearce feels a trio of top-flight clubs should put him on their radar.
“If I was West Ham, if I was Newcastle, if I was Aston Villa, I’d be all over trying to get Harry Maguire out of there,” he told talkSPORT.
“I’d be asking the question whether he’s available. He’d be a brilliant addition to a football club.
“He’s the right age, the right stature, right experience. He might just need another challenge now as he’s not getting regular football.”
Maguire has also been on the bench during United’s European adventure in 2022/2023.
The ex-Sheffield United ace has been given just one Europa League start, with three more appearances from the bench.
It is clearly not enough for a man who is still very much in Gareth Southgate’s thoughts for international recognition.
Manchester United have done well in Maguire’s absence. And Saturday’s 1-0 triumph over Wolves sees them sitting in fourth position.
They are next in action on Tuesday when struggling Bournemouth will visit the Theatre of Dreams.