'It's hard to put a price on experience' – Carrick suggests Man Utd want to keep Maguire

Michael Carrick believes it is difficult to put a price on Harry Maguire's experience, as Manchester United weigh up whether to keep the defender past the end of his contract.

Maguire has entered the final few months of his deal with the Red Devils, for whom he has made 262 appearances since arriving from Leicester City in 2019.

Since the start of the 2019-20 campaign, only Bruno Fernandes (316) has made more appearances for United than Maguire, who also ranks second for starts (223) and minutes played (20,440) for them in that time.

This season, Maguire found himself out of favour under Ruben Amorim, though he has started all six of United's Premier League games since Carrick returned as interim head coach, with the team going unbeaten in that time (five wins, one draw). 

United have a decision to make over the future of Maguire, who will turn 33 next week, and Carrick has suggested they cannot afford to lose his experience.  

"Within the squad, there is that balance, you want that younger potential and excitement that comes with helping develop players, but you need the sweet spot in the middle with players at the peak, and experience is massive," Carrick said. 

"It's hard to put a price on how valuable that can be. Harry has gained an awful lot of experience with this club. Cas leaving is another one, and we have to understand that.

"Harry is an impressive character. He's had a great career so far and hopefully, there is a lot more to come. He's been here on the journey and his experiences show what he is.

"We know the player he is and what he is capable of doing. He was fantastic the other night, his experience, attributes and character helped. He's willing to put himself out there. He's been really important for us."

United face Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Sunday, having defeated Everton 1-0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday.

Benjamin Sesko was the match-winner after stepping off the bench, and he has now netted five goals in six league outings since Amorim was sacked last month. 

Heading into matchday 28, no Premier League player has more non-penalty goals in 2026 than the Slovenian (five).

Asked if Sesko was ready to start, Carrick said: "The whole thing is a real positive. It's certainly not a decision that I look at in a negative way. 

"We're playing well as a team, we're not getting carried away and just thinking that will necessarily carry on.

"The forwards have scored a good number of goals; Ben has been so good in so many ways. 

"It's really not a drama. It just shows the quality Ben has got. If he starts the next game or the one after, it is what it is, but he's doing so many good things."