Claude Puel Confident Harry Maguire Won't Leave Leicester for Manchester United

Leicester City manager Claude Puel has spoken out on the rumours linking Harry Maguire with Manchester United and said he is "confident" the centre-back will remain at the King Power Stadium.

The England defender has emerged as a key target for United manager Jose Mourinho but Puel is not concerned Maguire will leave the Foxes, per Shona Duthie of Sky Sports:

"I am confident about the presence of Harry for this season. He is a very good player for us. I was not surprised about his performance during this World Cup. We saw his progress during the second half of the season. He was great and played very well. It was not a surprise to see him perform well at this level in the international game."

Per Duthie's report, Leicester could stand to make around £65 million if they sell Maguire, who enjoyed an excellent 2018 FIFA World Cup with England.

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However, Puel's latest comments suggest the 2015-16 Premier League champions would prefer to keep hold of the 25-year-old than cash-in.

The Red Devils already have five senior centre-backs in their squad, although Marcos Rojo has been linked with a departure from Old Trafford, per Chris Wheeler in the Daily Mail.

Despite Mourinho's array of options in the middle of defence none of United's centre-backs are consistently reliable, with Eric Bailly arguably the best of the bunch.

United had the second-best defensive record in the Premier League last season but much of that was down to Mourinho's tactics and the brilliance of David de Gea.

They need to refresh the ranks in their back line but Maguire, though talented, is arguably not the solution, per football writer Tom Williams:

The decision on whether they continue to pursue the former Hull City man could be taken out of United's hands if Leicester decide he is not for sale.