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Manchester United have reportedly extended the contract of their longtime-serving defender, Harry Maguire.

The Sheffield native became the most expensive centre-back in the world when he completed a £80 million transfer from Leicester City to MUFC in the summer of 2019.

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The 33-year-old has had his fair share of highs and lows during his time at Old Trafford, and was at one point reduced to a figure of ridicule among football fans and observers. Nevertheless, Maguire has pulled off a remarkable career turnaround, reclaiming his role as a stalwart at the club.

Harry Maguire signs new Man Utd contract

The centre-back’s ressurgence began under former Man Utd head coach, Ruben Amorim, who placed his trust in the Englishman and urged the management to activate his automatic renewal clause last year.

Maguire also made an immediate impact on Michael Carrick following the latter’s appointment in January. The 44-year-old has been able to lean on his countryman, who provided defensive solidity and leadership while Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt have been struggling with injuries, and the young Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven are still sharpening their tools.

The player’s contract is set to expire in June, but Man Utd have decided to keep Maguire beyond the current campaign.

While the news has been in the air for weeks, MUFC insider Andy Mitten revealed that the England international has already put to paper, signing a one-year renewal. The journalist confirmed the news in his latest update for The National.

(Maguire’s Man Utd stats)

Why extending Maguire’s contract is a shrewd piece of business for Man United

With Casemiro departing at the end of the season, Maguire will become Man Utd’s oldest outfielder. Nevertheless, at the age of 33, he still has a lot to offer. After all, the former Leicester man never truly relied on his pace, but rather on his aerial prowess and overall defensive skills.

As we’ve seen with the likes of Sergio Ramos, Thiago Silva, and Pepe, this type of defender tends to age like fine wine, as long as they avoid injuries and maintain a high work rate in training and an insatiable desire to win.

Moreover, Maguire has seemingly overcome the mental hurdles that hampered him when faced with severe chastising, not to mention finding his knack for scoring decisive goals.

While some might argue that the Sheffield native would struggle to break into the lineup if De Ligt, Martinez and Yoro are all fit and in form, it remains a big ‘if’, at least based on what we’ve seen this season, not to mention that United should have a comprehensively busier schedule next season with the anticipated return to European football.