Manchester United set Harry Maguire valuation as he prepares for Erik ten Hag talks

Harry Maguire started only 16 games for Man United last season as he lost his place two games into Erik ten Hag’s reign.

Manchester United value Harry Maguire so much that he could be blocked from leaving the club this summer unless he compromises on the transfer fee.

United are said to have put Maguire’s acquisition at a starting price of £50m, a figure unlikely to be offered by any club.

The 30-year-old Maguire joined United in 2019 for the world’s most expensive transfer fee of £80m for a defender, but he only lost the spot for two games last season.

Rafael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw are all above Maguire in the central defensive pecking order.

United manager Eric ten Haag favors a right-left-footed combination at centre-back, with the left-back Shaw having an excellent run in 11 appearances at centre-back last season.

Maguire’s international pedigree has resale value, but he made just 16 appearances for United last season, half of them in the cup. Maguire’s fringe status means interested clubs are hesitant at United’s original price.

England manager Gareth Southgate has warned that Maguire’s lack of minutes ahead of next June’s European Championships is unsustainable.

Southgate has already touted Levi Colwill and Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who started in England’s U21 Championship final against Spain, as potential centre-backs to create competition.

United were tentatively set to sell Maguire earlier this year, with two years remaining on his contract.

Despite Maguire’s low status, United are reluctant to release the former Leicester defender as they need to acquire an upgrade to replace him.

United have already sacked centre-backs Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe, while substitute defender Teden Menghi has suffered two serious injuries in the past 16 months.

On Sunday Maguire oddly shared a post from his Instagram transfer account claiming he was waiting to speak with Ten Hag about his future.