The Briefing: Maguire's new deal, Ramsey retires and other top stories

Our daily round-up of the latest news from clubs and players across the Premier League Here is your daily briefing for the latest Premier League stories on Tuesday 7 April. Man Utd tie down Harry Maguire and chase sustained success Manchester United are targeting a period of “sustained success” after tying Harry Maguire down to a new contract. The defender’s deal now runs until June 2027, with the option of a further year, the club announced. Maguire has been rewarded for his excellent form during the club’s remarkable resurgence under head coach Michael Carrick. The 33-year-old has started every match since Carrick took charge in January, helping the club climb to third in the table and move firmly on course to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League. “Harry represents the mentality and resilience required to perform for Manchester United,” director of football Jason Wilcox said. “He is the ultimate professional who brings invaluable experience and leadership to our young, ambitious squad. “Harry, like everyone at the club, is completely determined to help Manchester United achieve regular and sustained success.” Maguire, recently recalled to the England squad, said: “You can feel the ambition and potential of this exciting squad. The determination throughout the whole club to fight for major trophies is clear for everyone to see and I am confident that our best moments together remain ahead of us.” Aaron Ramsey retires Former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has announced his retirement at the age of 35. Ramsey joined Arsenal from Cardiff City in 2008 and went on to play more than 250 games for the club before leaving in 2019. Among the many highlights of his career were his two match-winning goals in FA Cup finals: the extra-time winner against Hull City in 2014, completing a comeback from two goals down, and heading in the winner against Chelsea three years later. Watch: Highlights of Ramsey's time at Arsenal Widely regarded as one of Wales’ greatest players, Ramsey played in three major tournaments, scored 21 goals in 86 games for his country and was included in the UEFA Euro 2016 team of the tournament after inspiring Wales’ run to the semi-finals. “This has not been an easy decision to make,” he wrote on social media. Ramsey's retirement messageReece James closes in on return Chelsea could be set for a boost, with The Guardian reporting that Reece James is on course to return from injury at the start of May. The Chelsea captain has been a key player this season but has not played since a defeat to Newcastle United on 14 March. Head coach Liam Rosenior will be eager to have James, who signed a new long-term contract in March, back as soon as possible. The club are battling for Champions League qualification alongside Liverpool, Aston Villa and Manchester United. Brentford and Everton also trail closely behind.The timeline means the FA Cup semi-final against Leeds United on 25/26 April will likely come too soon, but it sets James up to play some part in the final run-in against Nottingham Forest, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland. A return before the end of the campaign would also strengthen his chances of making Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for this summer’s FIFA World Cup. Update on Bernardo Silva’s future Manchester City assistant coach Pep Lijnders has hinted that Bernardo Silva will leave the club this summer. Silva, 31, has collected an astonishing six Premier League titles, the Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup and every domestic trophy since joining Man City in 2017. Lijnders described the midfielder as “unique”. He explained: “The way he controls games, the way he moves, the way he receives, the way he leads, the way he sees the solutions, all these things.” The Dutchman admitted Silva will be “missed” and difficult to replace. “But every good story comes to an end,” he said. “I hope he enjoys the last months, it is only six weeks, and he has a good farewell and he deserves all that attention as well.” Silva could yet add more silverware before departing. After lifting the EFL Cup in March, City are chasing down Arsenal in the Premier League title race and are in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. Arteta’s latest innovations Mikel Arteta, long renowned for his inventive motivational methods, has revealed his latest innovations. During the short window of training open to the media’s cameras ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Sporting, players were seen forming circles in groups of four, balancing a ball between their heads while moving. Another drill required them to hold pens between their fingers while passing a ball before scooping it into a bin.Scroll across to see the photos “A training session has to have different elements, and it has to be related to the messages that we send, and the compromises and commitments that we’ve done between us,” Arteta explained. “I try to have all those messages and commitments as much as possible, in as many situations as possible, and training is one of them.” Arteta’s previous unconventional methods include deploying a pickpocket to steal from players during a team meal to emphasise constant awareness, and bringing a light bulb into a team meeting to illustrate the importance of teamwork and connectivity.Coventry close to promotion Coventry City need only four points from their remaining five games to seal a return to the Premier League for the first time in 25 years. The club, managed by Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, sit 12 points above the three teams below them – Ipswich Town, Middlesbrough and Millwall.Coventry enjoyed a phenomenal run of 34 consecutive years in the top flight before relegation in 2001, but fans have since endured a turbulent period that included dropping to League Two, before securing two promotions in three seasons. Promotion could be confirmed as early as this weekend if Coventry beat Sheffield Wednesday and the trailing pack all drop points. Lampard told the BBC his players “need to cut out the noise and just deal with Sheffield Wednesday in front of us. “Everyone will expect us to win it from the outside, but we have to put that to the side and approach the game with real professionalism and try to get that done. “It may not get us absolutely over the line, but we will know it makes it a lot, lot closer.”