Hands off £4m-rated Maguire, Blades tell Red Devils

The 20-year-old central defender is one of the best young English players in that position outside of the Premier League and scouts from Old Trafford have been regular guests at Blades games recently.

Managed by David Moyes, whom Weir knows well from their Everton days, the Premier League champions have not yet submitted a bid for the England Under-21 star but speculation this week suggested that may change come the January transfer window.

Rather than be upset by the speculation, though, Weir believes it proves an academy which has developed a long line of Premier League talent – including defensive duo Kyle Walker and Phil Jagielka who played for England in midweek – is still producing top talent.

He said he would not be surprised Premier League clubs were watching 6ft 4ins Maguire, but he insisted the Blades – who last week announced a wealthy new joint owner in Saudi Arabian Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud – had no intention of selling the Sheffield-born defender.

“I don’t know anything about it,” said Weir, when asked about the Red Devils’ reported £4m interest in him.

“But it’s great news for our players to be linked with great football clubs.

“Harry’s got a lot of attributes, he’s a young lad, he’s played a lot of games, been involved internationally.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if a few clubs were looking at him.

“We don’t want to lose him, though, definitely not.”

With the promised inlux of millions of pounds to strengthen the first-team squad by Prince Abdullah, Weir could be forgiven for acting like a child in a sweet shop now the loan transfer market has re-opened.

But the Scot refuses to be rushed into bringing in new players despite United sitting in the bottom six of League One after just one win in their opening six games.

“We are looking at it and seeing what areas we can improve,” said Weir.

“There’s only a small segment of players available and you don’t want to make mistakes, bring in the wrong ones.

“We have to do our homework and explore the market. The work’s being done.”

United travel to fellow strugglers Carlisle United tomorrow and Weir is looking for a response from his players after their humbling 3-1 derby defeat to Rotherham United on Saturday.

The Blades led 1-0 at half-time through Jose Baxter before three goals in 24 second-half minutes from Kieran Agard, Daniel Nardiello (penalty) and Rob Milsom secured a Millers win.

“I was very disappointed after Saturday’s game, you can’t hide that, if you weren’t disappointed there would be something wrong,” said Weir.

“I think it was frustrating because we had done so many good things, and got ourselves into a good position. Obviously, things didn’t go as planned after that. A couple of mistakes and it was very hard for us to win the game.

“It sounds like you are making excuses but I genuinely believe there are a lot of positive things going on.”

Maguire could reach a landmark tomorrow with United as he and centre-back partner Neill Collins are set to play their 100th match together against Carlisle.

Several candidates for the Brunton Park job have links to the Blades although former Newcastle United and Norwich City chief Glenn Roeder is the latest name connected with the vacancy, his odds for the job tumbling to 5-2.

The Cumbrians have received dozens of applications since former Bradford City and Hull City player Greg Abbott became the first managerial sacking of the season on Monday.

Oxford United manager Chris Wilder, the former Sheffield United, Rotherham and Bradford defender, and Danny Wilson have also been placed in the frame.

Hugely experienced Wilson, who has taken charge at seven clubs in a 19-year career as a manager, has been out of work since his shock sacking by the Blades five months ago. He was fired despite winning 55 of his 106 games in charge.

Former Sheffield United defender David Unsworth is also said to be a candidate.

Unsworth assisted Chris Morgan when the 35-year-old temporarily took charge of Bramall Lane’s first-team affairs towards the end of last term following Wilson’s departure.

But perhaps the favourite is a former Sheffield Wednesday player, Graham Kavanagh, Carlisle’s caretaker manager, who is preparing the team for tomorrow’s encounter.

Kavanagh, who also played for Stoke and Cardiff, praised the axed manager, saying: “I’ve worked closely with Greg for four and a half years and I appreciate the opportunity he gave me.

“I just hope people can now remember his achievements and the good times rather than the last few weeks.”

Among the other names thought to be keen are former Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels and former Rochdale and Accrington chief John Coleman.