Manchester United star ‘a great signing’ for Newcastle United as Erik ten Hag hints at exit

John Barnes believes Manchester United and England defender Harry Maguire would be ‘a great signing’ for Newcastle United to make as they prepare to compete in the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.

The former Sheffield United and Hull City centre-back has endured a challenging season at Old Trafford after the form of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane limited him to just eight Premier League starts for the Red Devils. Maguire did make eight further starts in competitions but only appeared as a late substitute when his side inflicted a 2-0 defeat on Newcastle in the Carabao Cup Final in February.

There have been suggestions Erik ten Hag could allow the 55-times capped England defender to depart this summer and Newcastle have been mentioned as a possible destination as Maguire looks to rejuvenate a club career that has stalled over the last 12 months.

Barnes - who scored seven goals in 41 appearances for Newcastle during an 18-month stay on Tyneside in the late 1990s - has insisted a move to St James Park could work for both the player and the Magpies.

He said” “I think Harry Maguire would be a great signing for Newcastle. He’s English, he’s a main player for the national side and he’d be a good signing for Newcastle if it comes off. I think Maguire can have a better time at Newcastle.

“Because of course, you look at him when he plays for England and of course Harry always plays and Gareth Southgate loves him in the team. It just hasn’t worked for him at Man Utd and once it doesn’t work, it’s going to be difficult for the fans to back him. Once he’s got this perception, no matter how well you do for England or elsewhere, it will be difficult for him to do that at Man Utd.”