Harry Maguire targeted by Aston Villa manager Unai Emery as defender looks to revamp career

According to a report, Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has not been a regular part of Erik ten Hag’s plans this season and will now look to join Aston Villa.

Harry Maguire is reportedly set to leave Manchester United for Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Despite being club captain, the 29-year-old defender is currently out of favour at United, with Villa thought to be the favourites to sign him.

Anil Kandola of talkSPORT tweeted the news of Maguire’s departure on Sunday afternoon, claiming Maguire was “on the verge” of a move to Villa Park.

The shocking news comes as Maguire struggles for playing time at Old Trafford under Ten Hag, having appeared in just seven of the team’s 17 Premier League games this season.

Three of them have come since the World Cup, when the ex-Leicester City star rediscovered his form under Gareth Southgate and helped England reach the quarter-finals.

Maguire left Leicester City for Manchester United in 2019 for a fee of £80 million. Despite some promising spells, the Englishman has been relentlessly targeted by fans and pundits during his three-and-a-half year stay.

Last season, under Ralf Rangnick, was the most difficult of Maguire’s career, with calls to bench the defender increasing.

During the World Cup, a Ghanaian MP teared into his performances by coining the phrase “economic Maguire” in parliament.

If he leaves the record Premier League winners in January, Maguire will have made 157 appearances and won zero trophies.