Harry Maguire's peculiar gesture after Manchester United's FA Cup final defeat on Saturday may have indicated that his future lies elsewhere as transfer rumours ramp up

Harry Maguire’s FA Cup final gesture at Wembley may have confirmed his impending departure from Manchester United.

Maguire was kept on the bench for United’s gruelling 2-1 defeat by rivals Manchester City on Saturday. It was a continuation of his overall lack of contribution this season, having been frozen out by manager Erik ten Hag.

Reports have suggested the 30-year-old will look for a transfer away this summer, four years on from his highly scrutinised £80million transfer from Leicester City.

And the defender may have provided an additional hint as to where his future lies after the final whistle in what could have been his last ever inclusion in the Red Devils squad.

BBC Sport reporter Simon Stone took to Twitter to reveal how Maguire let Bruno Fernandes, who is officially the club vice-captain but has been acting skipper for much of the season, to go up the Wembley steps first during the runners’ up medal collection.

Stone added that there will be a “big decision over Maguire’s future this summer”.

It comes after the Daily Mail reported the Old Trafford club are set to pay Maguire £10m - the amount he would receive in wages if he fulfils his contract until 2025 - out of their own pocket as an incentive for leaving this summer.

Chelsea have been tipped as a potential destination. United are currently in pursuit of Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount and could include the out-of-favour Maguire in an effort to secure his England teammate on a player-plus-cash deal.

Yet West Ham are believed to be leading the race for the £30m rated Maguire, with David Moyes being a huge fan of the 6ft3in defender despite his reputation taking a beating in recent years.