COMMENT: The writing's on the wall. And both players can see it. They've experienced it. But are David de Gea and Harry Maguire going to accept it's time to depart Manchester United...?

It'll be symbolic. An end of an era. Two men who have given everything for the United shirt. Who have stared down challenge after challenge. Have never wavered. Have never given up. And, which deserves greater recognition, have never hid. But as we say, their manager has made it clear. He's basically written it in great big letters on the walls of Carrington: it's time for us all to move on.

This column has long been a supporter of both players. We championed Maguire's candidacy for club captaincy as he arrived from Leicester City. We backed De Gea as first Louis van Gaal, then Jose Mourinho, flirted with rival goalkeepers before realising the player they had in front of them. But now in the summer of 2023. Now with the indicators Ten Hag has laid out front of them. It's time for the pair to go and play where they'll be appreciated.

This is no great knock on the manager. But it's obvious he has other ideas about the two positions occupied by De Gea and Maguire.

In Maguire's case, it's been clear from almost the start of the season. The club captain is not Ten Hag's first-choice centre-half. He's not even the Dutchman's second or third. Indeed, the penny must have dropped for the England international when short of options, but with Maguire available, Ten Hag would turn to left-back Luke Shaw to step in at centre-half - leaving his captain to watch on from the bench in the process.

It wasn't personal. Indeed, Ten Hag was effusive in his praise for Maguire towards the end of the season. But he was never going to be first-choice. With everyone fit and available, Maguire would never be considered for the starting XI.

Does he deserve better? For his status. For his ability. Of course. But on form? Ten Hag's decision-making is understandable. Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane did nothing during the season to warrant any sort of second-guessing from Ten Hag. Shaw, when called, falls into the same category. That Ten Hag even viewed the inconsistent Victor Lindelof as the better option really should be enough for Maguire to start looking elsewhere.

That's on the practical side. The football side. Of course off the pitch. In the stands. Maguire has never really had a fair shake from the support. He's been made a scapegoat, if ever there was one, for the all issues that have engulfed United over the past five years. But as we say, the former Sheffield United trainee never hid. As captain, he never ducked his responsibilities. And if not from that fickle section of the United, he certainly deserved better from his peers now being paid to talk about the game.

But again, he's not one to complain. He just gets on with it. And you fancy such an approach would be appreciated elsewhere in the Premier League. Of course, we have news of Tottenham expressing interest. But this column can see a move to Champions League qualifiers Newcastle for Maguire. For his courage. For his leadership. His experience. You can see Maguire becoming a cult hero for the Gallowgate End. At 30, he still has his best years ahead of him and he would be getting in on the ground floor with a club clearly destined for big things.

But while it must be said there is a part of Maguire still willing to believe he can win over Ten Hag, in De Gea's case, it does appear he's close to accepting it's time to go.

"Relax. Recharge. Contemplate," that was the social media post De Gea left fans on Saturday as he enjoyed his summer break. A new contract received from the club remains unsigned. His current agreement has less than three weeks to run. It really does appear De Gea is ready to move on.

Again, that writing is on the wall. United's new offer is dramatically short of what De Gea currently earns. It wasn't a proposal to keep a pillar of the team happy. Settled. It was more about compromise. A clear message that management doesn't view him the same player he was almost four years ago when he penned this current contract.

Of course, we know Ten Hag has informed De Gea that 'competition' will be signed this summer. A new keeper is on the agenda. As with Maguire, Ten Hag regards De Gea highly, but believes the club can do better for the way he wants to play. The new terms tabled says everything about where the Spaniard sits in Ten Hag's planning.

Of course, as mentioned, De Gea has seen this all before. He's been there. Done it. And has the t-shirt. Twice over. You could even say three times if we count Dean Henderson lobbying Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for his axing before he was shuffled off to the City Ground.

But turning 33 this year, does De Gea want to go through it all again? He's a United great. He has nothing to prove to anyone. Does he really want to go through the ignominy of what Maguire experienced last season?

From that little post this weekend, it does appear the Spaniard is "contemplating" his situation. He won't be short of offers. One or both Milan clubs could be in need for new keepers this summer. Juventus too. And then there's Hugo Lloris' situation at Tottenham...

But wherever the choice, it's growing more and more likely it won't be Old Trafford. Which, for this column, would be a good thing. De Gea deserves better than to be gradually phased out. Again, like Maguire, the answer is simple: go to where you're appreciated. Where you're not constantly fighting upstream. Finishing the season as the Premier League's Golden Glove winner, yet also with a pay-cut of over 50 per cent? That's a message from the manager if ever there was one.

For Maguire. For De Gea. There's no need to read between the lines. The writing's on the wall. It's time for both to move on.