Harry Maguire REJECTED Barcelona transfer swap as part of Frenkie de Jong deal to stay and fight for Man Utd spot

HARRY MAGUIRE rejected the chance to play for Barcelona so he could stay at Manchester United and fight through his difficult patch, according to reports.

The Red Devils captain was heavily criticised for his performances last season and was booed by his own fans both at club and international level.

Boos continued this month during a pre-season friendly against Crystal Palace.

And according to The Mirror, Maguire had the chance to get out of Manchester in a swap deal for Frenkie de Jong.

But the 29-year-old centre-back rejected the move to Barca in order to overcome his tough times at United.

Maguire has also been encouraged by new boss Erik ten Hag‘s support.

The report says the England international is “unmoved and wants to have a successful season with United”.

Off the pitch, Maguire will finally get a court date for his Greek holiday assault case — but will not be able to clear his name until 2023.

He will receive a court summons in the next few weeks for an appeal hearing.

He was convicted of assaulting police in Mykonos in August 2020.

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According to Greek police sources, the court will set a date for late spring or early summer next year on the island of Syros, which is where appeals are heard.

It means Maguire will be free to focus on the start to United’s Premier League season and the World Cup in Qatar in November and December.

But it leaves him waiting for nearly three years to clear his name over the bust-up, which also involved his brother Joe and sister Daisy.