Harry Maguire has been one of, if not the best player under Michael Carrick at Manchester United, but doesn't have a contract for next season.
When Michael Carrick replaced Darren Fletcher as Manchester United head coach until the end of the season, he was given just three days of training at Carrington before his first match - the Manchester derby.
Maguire had been out of the side under Rúben Amorim. He returned to the squad for Fletcher's first game against Burnley, then was given 11 minutes from the bench against Brighton and Hove Albion in the FA Cup. But Michael Carrick still trusted him to start alongside Lisandro Martínez for his first game.
It's safe to say Carrick made the right call, as Maguire played a key role in keeping a clean sheet in the 2-0 win and has continued to be crucial since then. He was forced to the left side of central defence when Martínez got injured, but he hasn't let his performance drop.
Maguire's Manchester United career has been anything but plain sailing, but as of now, he is one of the most important players in the squad. And this is all without a contract for next season; the England international has been able to discuss future moves since January due to the Bosman ruling.
It now seems that Maguire will stay at Manchester United, but if he does, he'll want to be playing. This season has proved he can be one of the best defenders in the Premier League, so why would he settle for the bench?
Where does this leave the other centre-backs?
If Maguire does sign a new contract, he will be doing so on the basis that he is going to play regular football, at least for next season, but it could become fewer minutes as the contract gets closer to completion and Maguire gets closer to retirement.
Maguire's main competition would be with Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro, with Lisandro Martínez and Ayden Heaven locking down the left side. As it stands, Maguire seems to be the first-choice centre-back, but would this be the case if De Ligt were fit?
United won't want to sell Yoro, having spent a large fee on him just two years ago, and moving Heaven out of the door permanently will also be out of the question. And with the switch to the back four, United shouldn't need five senior central defenders.
With De Ligt's injury keeping him out since the end of 2025, he may be the most likely to head out the door. A similar argument could be used against Martínez, but his unique passing ability could not easily be replaced, and the depth on the left side of centre-back isn't as great as it is on the right.
Tyler Fredricson is another right-footed centre-back who will want more gametime, but he seems destined to leave the club after a difficult campaign this year, despite an impressive debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers towards the end of 2024/25. De Ligt may be forced to join him.
Why it has to be De Ligt
At the start of the season, De Ligt was one of the most important players in the United side, especially when in the centre of a back three, but the Red Devils do not play that system anymore, and they will not when De Ligt returns to full fitness.
The Dutchman had played every minute of the Premier League before his injury, and was expected to return within weeks, if not days, as Amorim confirmed in a press conference.
"It is a small thing. I expect to have Matthijs next game," he said. But over three months later, we are still none the wiser. The only other injury like this in recent years was Tyrell Malacia's devastating 18-month knee issue.
While De Ligt will not be easy to replace if United dip into the centre-back market, they will not need to if Maguire renews his deal. The former Leicester City defender and Leny Yoro will be more than good enough to cope with United's Premier League and Champions League campaign.