Ruben Amorim is planning for life without Harry Maguire and has doubts over the future of another Manchester United defender, according to reports.
Maguire has had a mixed spell at Old Trafford since his £80m move from Leicester City in 2019.
Becoming the most expensive defender in history came with its own pressures and it looked as though Maguire would be yet another transfer flop when he was stripped of the captaincy two years ago.
But Maguire, who turns 33 in March, has managed to contribute to the Red Devils since Bruno Fernandes took the armband from him and enjoyed a largely positive 2024-24 campaign.
Manchester United triggered a 12-month extension in Maguire’s contract at the start of 2025 but the Daily Mirror say he will not be offered another deal.
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As a result Amorim is ‘planning for life’ without Maguire, who will be free to negotiate with other clubs come January and has attracted interest from two Saudi Pro League clubs.
Al-Nassr and Al-Ettifaq are both considering moves for Maguire, who has made over 250 appearances for United and has 64 caps for England.
Maguire’s former Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Al-Nassr, while Al-Ettifaq boast ex-Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum.
Maguire was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad and his dwindling international prospects could be a factor in his decision as he weighs up a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.
Discussing his future at Old Trafford in August, Maguire said: ‘Last year, the clause was in their hands, so there was no option for me there.
‘There was no talking. It was just that they activated it, and it got extended. This year, obviously I’m up at the end of the year.
‘I’m pretty sure the club have made it aware this summer that I can’t leave the club on any terms with other clubs enquiring about my things and my position with my contract.
‘I’m sure over the next few months they’ll sit down and we’ll have to have a conversation about where we want to go and if they want to extend, or obviously the transfer window will open again in January.
‘Obviously, I have something in my mind about what I want to do and what I want to be.
‘I don’t want to put it out there to everybody, but it’s an amazing club to play for and you’d be silly if you wanted to jump out of it as soon as you could.’
Maguire has started two of Manchester United’s seven Premier League games so far this season and came on as a late substitute in Saturday’s much-needed win over Sunderland.
His probable exit has led the Red Devils to express interest in signing fellow England defender Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton.
United have held interest in Branthwaite for a number of years but they previously baulked at Everton’s asking price.
Brathwaite remains a figure of interest inside Old Trafford as Amorim not only expects Maguire to leave but also has doubts over Lisandro Martinez.
Manchester United paid £57m to sign Martinez from Ajax in 2022 but injuries have blighted his spell at the Theatre of Dreams.
The Argentina international only made 14 appearances during his second season at United and is yet to feature this term following a serious knee injury.
When fit, Martinez has put concerns over his height to bed with some superb performances, but it remains to be seen whether he can remain injury-free for a significant period.
Manchester United are not the only club interested in Branthwaite, who has also been linked with fellow Premier League giants Liverpool and Chelsea.
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