Maguire, Solskjaer united in lifting great club back into trophy hunt
HARRY Maguire is convinced Manchester United has a bright future ahead after completing his $144 million move to Old Trafford.
The England defender has signed a six-year contract, with the option of a further year, after United met Leicester’s demand for a world-record fee for a defender. He is the club’s third signing of the summer after Daniel James and Aaron WanBissaka as manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rebuilds his squad after last season’s frustrating sixth-placed finish in the Premier League.
The 26-year-old, who was also linked with champion Manchester City, believes he has joined the club at an exciting time.
Speaking in an interview with United’s in-house media, Maguire said: “It’s such a big club and I’m really looking forward to getting started. I’m hoping it will be a successful season and I’ll give everything I’ve got for this club.
“It’s a young team now and we’ve got big ambitions for the future. It’s clear to see Ole is building a team to win trophies.
“I think you’ve seen the players that we’ve brought in already this year. You can see they’re trying to build and improve on last season and I’m sure we’ll do that.”
Maguire’s future had been the subject of speculation all summer. City was interested but unwilling to meet a valuation by Leicester that eclipsed the $134 million Liverpool paid for centre-back Virgil Van Dijk last year.
The Foxes were in a strong negotiating position having tied Maguire to a new five-year contract last September.
United pursued the deal having made strengthening the centre of its defence a priority, a need that increased after Eric Bailly suffered a knee injury that could sideline him for four months.
The fee ensured Leicester made a handsome profit on a player they signed from Hull for $22 million two years ago.