Leicester boss does not expect Maguire to join Manchester United in January

Leicester manager Claude Puel expects Harry Maguire to remain at the club for the rest of the season amid reports Manchester United are planning a January move.

Maguire was heavily linked with a move to United in the summer but nothing came of Jose Mourinho’s interest before the defender signed a new long-term deal with the Foxes.

After missing out on a centre-back in the summer, Mourinho is determined to land one in January and Maguire remains a top target for the United boss.

Maguire has enjoyed a phenomenal rise this year and played a key part for England at the 2018 World Cup but Puel is confident the 25-year-old won't leave in January.

“We cannot ever guarantee, but he decided this summer to remain with us, to play a full season,” Sky Sports quote Puel as saying.

“He is happy with us, he saw the quality of the team, the ambition, his fantastic team-mates, and of course for Harry or other valuable players of the club, it’s important to keep our best players until the end of the season and continue this work.

“In the past, Leicester took the right decisions. We saw this with Riyad Mahrez last season also. It was important to maintain the squad until the end of the season, and to keep all our players to play and perform.

“I hope to have a good result and perhaps win something at the end of the season. We will not have a problem this winter because we have a good squad with good guys, with their heads on their shoulders.”

Maguire has missed the last five weeks with a knee injury but has been tipped to return to first-team action when Leicester host Tottenham on Saturday night.

His return would be a huge boost for Leicester. Maguire is the club’s highest WhoScored rated player in the Premier League this season (7.33) and their third top scorer (2 goals).