The eagerly waiting from United fans for Harry Maguire has ended. The club made it official this Monday, confirming that the player had passed his medical exams. The fee is yet to be confirmed, but the rumors are that United paid Leicester City around €87M.
This would turn the English international in the most expensive defender ever, surpassing the move from Van Dijk to Liverpool in the Winter of 2018.
The deal was almost confirmed by Ole Solksjaer who had confirmed the team was negotiating with Leicester. “We have hope that the last details are in order. We expect to be able to announce him soon”, Ole said, following the draw in the ICC cup and consequent penalty shootout victory.
The 26-year-old Harry Maguire was born in Sheffield and rose through the ranks of local team Sheffield United – who are back in Premier League this year.
He then spent some seasons in Hull City, during which he was loaned to Wigan in 2015, and he was hired by Leicester in 2017 for a fee of €10 million. He made 76 appearances with the Foxes, scoring 5 goals and assisting 3.
England international with Premier League pedigree
He has also 20 international appearances in the England national team. Maguire was part of the World Cup side who reached last year’s semifinal in Russia, scoring a goal against Sweden in the quarterfinals for the Three Lions.
Looking at Maguire’s PL stats, it’s easy to see why United went all in for the English man. He averages 1,2 interceptions and 4,9 interceptions per game, and he was a pass accuracy of 85%. Plus since he is already well adapted to the league, he will be an immediate asset.
This is the third signing of United this Summer, after securing left-winger Daniel James from Swansea, for €17M and right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka for €55M, arriving from Crystal Palace. The signing of Maguire, or any center back at all, was one of the priorities for Manchester United this Summer.
Who else is arriving at Old Trafford?
The club suffered 54 goals last season; the worst record than Newcastle United, who suffered 48 and finished 13th. In fact, five teams that finished below the Red Devils in the Premier League table had fewer goals conceded.
Now, United will need to decide who is worth it to pair with Maguire in the back and rebuild their defensive solidity. Lindelof seems to be the highest rated by the defenders, with Bailly probably behind, if he keeps fit. Smalling and Phil Jones will probably see less game time this season and we are sure the fans will be hoping to not see them around the pitch anytime soon.
Manchester United still keeps pursuing another major signing until the end of the transfer window (that happens on Thursday, 8th of August). Bruno Fernandes is likely to join soon, although Tottenham Hotspurs is also keen on the Sporting CP midfielder.
It is also uncertain if Romelu Lukaku will leave in the next days, a deal that could bring a new attacking face to Old Trafford in return. Icardi, Dybala or Mandzukic are some names in the tables, but we will have to wait to see how everything will unveil in the following days.
Besides what happens, they can now be more confident to have a reinforced backline, with Bissaka and Maguire. One thing is for sure: Manchester United plays Chelsea at home in Sunday, in the opening fixture of the Premier League schedule and it will be already a test for the new recruits.
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