Maguire (MUN, Defender, £5.0m)

Verdict: SELL

Despite a favourable upcoming fixture, Harry Maguire's opening day blank and Manchester United's defensive struggles make him a prime candidate for the chopping block.

The Reasoning

Fitness & Availability: Maguire is fully fit and available for selection, having played the full 90 minutes in Gameweek 1. There are no injury concerns.
Recent Performance: After a disappointing Gameweek 1 blank where Manchester United conceded two goals, Maguire only managed 1 point. His underlying stats from that game (ICT 7.3, Influence 25.4) weren't particularly inspiring for a defender in a losing effort.
Upcoming Fixtures: Manchester United face newly promoted Ipswich at home next, which looks like a prime clean sheet opportunity (difficulty 2). However, this is followed by a tricky away trip to Everton (difficulty 3) and a daunting home clash against Manchester City (difficulty 4), making the long-term outlook less appealing.
Underlying Stats: Historically, Maguire has shown some attacking threat, but his ICT Index of 7.3 in GW1 is low for a defender who might be expected to contribute more. His expected goals conceded (xGC) of 1.01 in GW1 suggests United's defence was breached more than once, which is a concern.

Risks

The primary risk for Maguire is Manchester United's defensive inconsistency, as evidenced by conceding two goals in Gameweek 1. While he appears nailed in the starting XI for now, competition could emerge. The tough fixtures against Everton and Manchester City after Ipswich also pose a significant threat to clean sheet potential.

Alternative Options

For a similar price, consider defenders with better form or fixtures. Pedro Porro (£5.0m, TOT) offers attacking upside in a Spurs side with decent defensive prospects, while Pau Torres (£5.0m, AVL) is a solid option in an Aston Villa defence that can keep clean sheets.

The Strategic Play

Given the initial blank and the significant transfers out, it's time to cut ties with Maguire. While the Ipswich fixture offers a glimmer of hope, his long-term appeal is limited by United's defensive form and upcoming tough games. Look to reinvest his £5.0m into a more reliable defender with better clean sheet potential or attacking upside.

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