Sir Jim Ratcliffe Is Ready To Cut His Losses As Manchester United Is Ready To Bring In A 21-Year-Old Academy Standout To Replace Harry Maguire As The Former Captain Is To Leave This Summer. The Lad To Replace Him Is Described As A Player With “No Fear”

Harry Maguire’s time at Manchester United has been marked by substantial criticism, a burden often tied to his record-breaking £80 million transfer from Leicester City in 2019, making him the most expensive defender in history.

In his debut season, Maguire was a dependable presence, starting every Premier League game and helping the team secure 13 clean sheets. However, his influence has diminished over time. Under Erik ten Hag, he lost the captaincy and has been given limited playing time, starting only 20 league matches. A December injury further sidelined the 30-year-old after a stretch of solid performances, forcing him to miss six games and giving younger talents a chance to shine.

One of those emerging players is Willy Kambwala, a 19-year-old French center-back who was called up to address Manchester United’s defensive injury crisis. Kambwala made his Premier League debut in a 2-0 loss to West Ham United in December, demonstrating technical proficiency with a 90% pass accuracy and 90 touches. However, he struggled defensively, failing to win any of his duels in the game’s physical battles.

In contrast, Will Fish, a 21-year-old on loan at Hibernian in Scotland, has adapted well to senior football. Over the past two years, Fish has developed into a key player for Hibernian, consistently starting and performing at a high level. This season, he has featured in all 25 matches for the Scottish club, earning praise for his composure, strength, and technical skill. Former Hibernian coach Lee Johnson described Fish as an ideal center-back, highlighting his speed and physicality.

Fish’s aerial ability mirrors Maguire’s strengths, with the young defender winning 8 out of 9 aerial duels in a standout performance against Aberdeen. Additionally, Fish has proven to be a goal threat, scoring five goals across 56 appearances for Hibernian, thanks to his height and effectiveness in set pieces.

Both Fish and Kambwala possess considerable potential, but Fish’s progress, in particular, suggests he could become a key part of Manchester United’s future defense. Given his development, he may be poised to return to Old Trafford and challenge for a place in the first team, potentially succeeding Maguire in the near future.