Football

Man Utd to raise Harry Maguire stakes as quintet give Solskjaer a ringing endorsement

Manchester United are poised to launch an improved £75million approach for Harry Maguire after a quintet of their players gave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a rave review about the Leicester defender’s qualities.

Solskjaer has turned his attentions to adding an elite-level centre-half to his squad this summer, having already bolstered United’s squad with the signings of Daniel James (signed from Swansea in a £15million deal) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (a £45m recruit from Crystal Palace).

United failed in a £70m approach for Maguire earlier this week and were said to be considering their next move amid reports Leicester have stuck an almighty £90m asking price on his head.

As such, the Daily Mirror reports that Solskjaer has sought some additional guidance from the England contingent within his United squad before raising their bid, with Ashley Young, Chris Smalling, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford and Phil Jones all asked for their opinion on the 26-year-old Foxes star.

And the paper reports that all five told Solskjaer that United would be landing one of the best defenders in the country, who is often very quiet and prefers to do his talking on the pitch. Furthermore, it’s claimed they all fully endorsed United’s attempts to lure him to the club this summer, but saying his character and attitude would be exactly what Solskjaer is looking for.

Solskjaer has been clear in his transfer approach this summer making plain his intentions to only sign players with the right ‘work ethic’ and will-to-win at United this summer.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Solskjaer said: “Me and Mick (Phelan) came in and of course we wanted to bring a confidence into the players that we trust them because we do,” he said.

“They are here because they are special. Manchester United never sign players if they don’t have any uniqueness or X-factor about them. We should never forget what badge they are wearing because they are special.

“We’ve tried to educate our players and our kids to be proper people. In my view, the best players have always been the best people.

“You have to have that value system and a certain kind of attitude about you to make a Man United player.

 

“You have got to have the qualities and our fans want to see exciting players. Of course we want to get up from our seats.

“We want to see defenders who defend like they’re doing it for their lives – that’s the most important thing.

“When we start games [against big clubs], our fans clap a striker making a tackle. It’s always been in our culture.

“You have to have that work ethic and we’re scouting the market, trying to find the right ones.”

All things considered, it’s reported United are readying an improved bid to Leicester for Maguire, upping their initial approach by a further £5m to £75million.

That would equal the world-record fee received for a defender, though whether it would convince Leicester to sell remains to be seen.

Manchester City are still thought to be considering a rival approach of their own after the Premier League champions on Thursday secured the club-record signing of midfielder Rodri from Atletico Madrid.

 

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The post Man Utd to raise Harry Maguire stakes as quintet give Solskjaer a ringing endorsement appeared first on teamtalk.com.

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