Harry Maguire's £80million move to Old Trafford yesterday has made the most expensive defender of all time. It's quite an achievement, but apparently, not everyone is convinced that he's the best center-back at Manchester United.
Leicester City and United agreed to an £80m deal last week and by Monday, Maguire's record-breaking move to the Theater of Dreams was confirmed. It made him Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's third signing of the summer.
Last summer, Maguire was planning to join the club and told Jose Mourinho about a potential move, but he signed a new deal with the Foxes and made a gentleman's agreement that he would be allowed to move at a later date. The 26-year-old is expected to go straight into the side that takes on Chelsea in their Premier League opener on Sunday.
Word is that Old Trafford will make Maguire captain, but The Independent says that some of United's coaches don't believe he's the best defender at the club. Apparently, a number of Solskjaer's backroom staff believe Victor Lindelof is the superior' defender, despite the £50m valuation difference between the pair. But it's undeniable that Maguire arriving at the club is definitely a huge benefit for United, with Solskjaer hailing him as "one of the best center-backs in the game."
"Harry is one of the best centre-backs in the game today," Solskjaer said. "He is a great reader of the game and has a strong presence on the pitch, with the ability to remain calm under pressure. He will fit well into this group both on and off the pitch."
Maguire joins £50m winger Aaron Wan-Bissaka and £15m winger Daniel James as United's new signings this summer, the trio taking Solskjaer's spending to £145m as he seeks to bring the glory days back to the Reds.
Maguire will be partnered with Lindelof, as Solskjaer believes that the duo can form one of the most formidable central defensive pairings in the Premier League.
In Lindelof and Maguire, Solskjaer has a pairing with the potential to be as successful as Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, who combined for almost a decade to form arguably United's finest central defensive partnership.
Maguire was also linked to local rivals and Premier League champs Manchester City, but refused to go above £65m, which left the way clear for United to land him. The 26-year-old is reportedly determined to show fans why he's the world's most expensive defender.
