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 in the next transfer window. The lad to replace him is described as a player with “no fear”

Harry Maguire’s time at Manchester United has been characterized by heavy scrutiny, much of which stems from his record-breaking £80 million transfer fee. Joining from Leicester City in 2019, he became the world’s most expensive defender.

In his first season, Maguire proved reliable, playing every Premier League match and helping the team achieve 13 clean sheets. However, his fortunes shifted when Erik ten Hag took over as manager. Maguire lost the captaincy and his starting spot, managing only 20 league starts under the Dutchman.

This season, the 30-year-old suffered an injury in December after a string of solid performances, missing six games. His absence created an opportunity for younger players to step up. One such player was 19-year-old Willy Kambwala, who was brought in to help fill the gap in central defense.

Kambwala made his Premier League debut in a 2-0 loss to West Ham United. While he impressed with his technical skills—boasting a 90% pass accuracy and 90 touches—he struggled with the physicality of the game, losing all of his defensive duels.

Meanwhile, another young defender, Will Fish, has been making significant progress. Over the last 18 months, the 21-year-old has been developing his skills during a loan spell at Hibernian in Scotland. Fish has been a standout performer, starting in all 25 games for the club this season and earning praise for his composure and aggression on the field.

Former Hibernian coach Lee Johnson spoke highly of Fish, calling him an ideal center-back due to his speed, strength, and technical abilities. Fish’s performance against Aberdeen was particularly noteworthy, showing his readiness to make an impact upon his return to Manchester United.

Maguire’s aerial dominance is one of his key strengths, placing him in the top 12% for aerial duels won in the Premier League. Fish, too, excels in the air, winning 8 out of 9 aerial duels this season. At 6-foot-1, Fish is also a threat during set pieces, having scored five goals in 56 appearances in Scotland.

Both Fish and Kambwala are showing promise, but Fish’s rapid development has caught attention. He could become a regular feature in Manchester United’s squad when his loan spell ends, potentially stepping into Maguire’s shoes.