Paul Parker believes Harry Maguire’s time at Manchester United must come to an end this summer, also urging his old side to dump Mason Mount while they still can.
Maguire has been a rock on the back since getting back from injury initially of the yr, playing a central role within the club’s return to form under Michael Carrick.
The England international has began every game because the interim boss took the reins in January but with just three months left on his contract at Old Trafford, his future is uncertain.
Talks have taken place to increase his stay but with Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro waiting within the wings, United may decide to look to the long run.
With injuries resurfacing, Lisandro Martinez’s future has also come into doubt with Matthijs de Ligt one other who has struggled this season, not playing because the end of November as a consequence of a persistent back problem.
United have big decisions to make on the back this summer with former right-back Parker believing Martinez could still have the possibility to prove he is usually a long-term option.
And while Maguire has proven his critics flawed through the years, he suggests it could be ‘foolhardy’ for United to let sentiment cloud their judgement in relation to planning for the long run.
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‘I just think at the top of all of it, he’s done his time, he’s been through lots of managers. I believe it’d be foolhardy to maintain him on,’ Parker told Metro via Live casinos in Ireland.
‘You’ve got two centre-halves. You’ve already got Yoro and Heaven, you’ve got de Ligt, you’ve got Martinez.
‘Keeping Maguire is like stopping two young players maturing. That’s what you’re going to go and do.
‘And as well, this rubbish they are saying, “oh it’s good to have him around”, he’s seen off too many managers. Now he’s played under Carrick, there’s an excellent likelihood there’s one other manager coming in. I just think at the top of it, you may’t let sentiment get in the best way of progression of a team.’
On Martinez, Parker added: ‘United need to take a position in a centre back. But when he was to get back and get just a few games in before the top of the season after which get a good pre-season behind him, there’s a excellent likelihood that you simply’re going to get someone who’s going to wish to play.’
Mount meanwhile has managed only one minute of playing time under Carrick – late on against City back in January.
The previous Chelsea star has been affected by injury since his move from Stamford Bridge in 2023, scoring just seven goals in almost three seasons in Manchester. He has made 66 appearances in that point with only 29 of those within the starting XI.
Even when fit, Parker questions where the 27-year-old features in the present set-up and believes United should take any offer they’ll get this summer.
‘In case you’re going to have a look at a starting XI for Manchester United, would they pick him to start out next season? The reply can be no,’ Parker said.
‘I don’t think people know where you’d pick him to play. He’s not someone you begin out wide. He’d be someone you begin through the center, and the center is the most important little bit of it, the spine of the team.
‘I take a look at it and if someone is available in and offers you money, you’ve got to take it.
‘He hasn’t played lots of football after which he’s gone missing again. He’s finished games, he’s come off as a sub and you may’t see anything, the the reason why it really works, if anything tactical has come off.’
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