Harry Maguire has used a series of interviews this week to set out a clear defence of his recent career and to lay down high expectations for Manchester United.

The 33-year-old, who regained a club place after a difficult spell and the loss of the captaincy under Erik ten Hag, rejected the notion that his performances have been inconsistent. “I actually think, six of the [seven] seasons, I’ve performed really well,” he told The Athletic. “I’d have loved seven out of seven, and not had this little blip along the way and everyone won’t be speaking about it as much.”

Maguire also framed his international prospects confidently as he vies for selection for Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup roster. “Whatever role the manager would want me for, whether that’s starting or deciding games late on… I still believe, even at my age, I’m arguably one of the best defenders in the world in both boxes. I don’t think that’s open to question, really.”

The centre back pointed to measurable strengths in support of that belief. No Premier League player can better Maguire’s aerial win rate of 78% this season, per Opta. Ruben Amorim has praised his set-piece threat, calling him “the only guy that can score a goal with his headers.” Maguire added: “I have great self-belief, more importantly, that I’m a top player,” Maguire insisted. “That’s what helps me when things are tough.”

He was equally bullish about United’s prospects. “I don’t think there’s any ceiling on it looking at the Premier League at the moment,” Maguire told The Telegraph when quizzed on United’s prospects. “I think over the last few years you’ve obviously had Manchester City, who were really tough to catch, and before the start of any season you knew you had to put a points tally together where it was some going to catch them.

“I think next season you look at it we’ve got to be in the bracket where, if we get the recruitment right and everything’s positive from now to the end of this season, there’s no ceiling of where we can reach.

“If we were speaking about it [the title] at the end of last season [when United finished 15th], you’d probably think we were a bit stupid really. But we’re in a strong position now.

“Come February, March, we don’t want to be adrift like we have been this year. We’ve got to be in the conversation to go and win the big trophies.”

Maguire stressed the importance of recruitment as United prepare for European competition and a bigger fixture load. “I always want to be part of a squad that I felt like could compete and the recruitment went well last year, we brought in some top players who helped us,” Maguire told ESPN. “I think this summer’s going to be a big summer, I think we’ve got to recruit really well,” Maguire warned. “Obviously there’s a big manager decision as well, but I think the recruitment side of it is bringing players in.

“I think this summer has got to be a big year because we’re not in Europe this year, we’ve played 40 games at the end of the season, and we definitely need a bigger squad next year.”

A consensus has formed inside the squad that Michael Carrick is the right long-term fit for the Manchester United manager’s job. Players such as Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo have emphasised Carrick’s playing past at the club and the ease with which he has connected with the group.

United’s form has improved under Carrick. The team has shifted from Ruben Amorim’s more intricate 3-4-2-1 to a straightforward 4-2-3-1 with blunt instructions, a change credited with steadying performances and results. Carrick’s current contract runs only until the end of the season, and the club, mindful of previous mistakes over speedy extensions, are in no rush to make a permanent appointment. Internally, however, players appear settled on a preferred outcome.

“We think he’s the right man [to get the job],” Amad told assembled reporters from United’s mid-season training camp in the Republic of Ireland. Mbeumo has underlined the value of Carrick’s familiarity with the club, saying the interim coach understands “the journey” and “the DNA” of Manchester United. He added: “I think it’s been easier because he knew the ‘house’ so it has been great to work under him.”

Carrick’s connection to the club is tangible. He spent 12 years in Old Trafford’s midfield, making 464 appearances with 24 goals and 35 assists while collecting a wide range of trophies. After retiring in 2018 he joined the coaching staff, famously receiving a whistle and some headache tablets from then-manager José Mourinho.

While Ruben Amorim’s résumé may exceed Carrick’s in managerial experience and trophies — most of which were accrued in Portugal rather than at United — the squad appear to prize intimate knowledge of the club and a manager who can build rapport quickly. Beyond tactical tweaks, players credit Carrick with establishing strong relationships in a short time and improving communication across the group.

Manchester United have reportedly kept Southampton midfielder Shea Charles on their radar as a budget-friendly alternative should Manuel Ugarte depart this summer. The Daily Mail says United’s recruitment team is monitoring a wide set of options and could turn to lower-cost targets if a failure to secure Champions League football limits transfer funds.

United remain expected to pursue top-market replacements for Casemiro, with Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba among those linked, each valued in the nine-figure bracket. That route remains likely while United hold a strong grip on third place in the domestic table and European qualification is still in sight.

Charles is a local product, born and raised in Manchester after 12 years on the Etihad Campus with Manchester City. He made one first-team appearance for City before departing in 2023 to Southampton, at a time when current United director of football Jason Wilcox was in charge at the Saints. The 22-year-old Northern Ireland international, eligible through his mother, is valued at $26.5 million (£20 million).

Last season Charles did not feature for Southampton in the Premier League despite being part of the promotion campaign; a change of system restricted his opportunities and he spent the season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday. He has returned to Southampton as they pursue promotion again. In the FA Cup on Saturday he was a second-half substitute as the Saints knocked Arsenal out, and he scored the late winning goal.

If United formalise interest in Charles they would face competition from Everton and two other unnamed Premier League clubs. Rangers would like to be involved but cannot financially compete with the English clubs.

Ugarte’s Manchester United career has not gone to plan. He emerged at Sporting CP as a lynchpin of Ruben Amorim’s successful team, moved to Paris Saint-Germain for significant money, produced a strong start that later faded, yet still attracted United interest in the summer of 2024.