Manchester United report: Harry Maguire Aston Villa rumours dismissed as “laughable”

Harry Maguire
(Image credit: Getty)

Speculation that Harry Maguire could leave Manchester United for Aston Villa in January has reportedly been dismissed as "laughable" by those close to the England defender.

Maguire has lost his place in the United team this season, leading to rumours that he could be on his way out during the mid-season window.

Villa were linked with the former Leicester City man, but the Manchester Evening News says there is nothing behind the claims.

Erik ten Hag

Erik ten Hag has used Maguire sparingly this season (Image credit: Getty)

Sources close to Maguire and United told the outlet that the suggestion is “laughable”. 

The 29-year-old was seen in Birmingham at the weekend, but is thought to have been there to play golf at The Belfry.

Maguire is therefore expected to remain at Old Trafford at least until the end of the season and fight for his place.

Raphael Varane and summer signing Lisandro Martinez have been the preferred centre-back partnership for Erik ten Hag this season.

Harry Maguire

Maguire featured in every World Cup 2022 game for England (Image credit: Getty)

Maguire has featured just seven times in the Premier League in 2022/23, four of those appearances coming from the start.

He remains a key man for his country though, and started every game at the World Cup, where England reached the quarter-finals.

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Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag has made winning trophies with his 'professional New Year's resolution' for 2023; United haven't claimed any silverware since the League Cup and Europa League under Jose Mourinho some six years ago.

New Liverpool signing Cody Gakpo has admitted that he thought he would be moving to Old Trafford back in the summer.

And United are considering a swoop for Mohammed Kudus, who starred for Ghana at World Cup 2022.

Alasdair Mackenzie is a freelance journalist based in Rome, and a FourFourTwo contributor since 2015. When not pulling on the FFT shirt, he can be found at Reuters, The Times and the i. An Italophile since growing up on a diet of Football Italia on Channel 4, he now counts himself among thousands of fans sharing a passion for Ross County and Lazio.