Maguire wants to be thrown straight in after joining United
Harry Maguire has urged Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to start him against Chelsea on Sunday after the England defender finally completed his move to Manchester United yesterday in a deal that could end up costing the club almost £150million.
United have handed Maguire what could prove to be the longest contract in the club’s history after he signed a six-year deal worth around £190,000 a week with the option of a seventh year.
Ed Woodward, the United executive vice-chairman, has moved to hand out longer-term contracts over the past year, but Maguire’s deal still represents an extraordinary show of faith in the 26-yearold, whose £80million fee makes him the highest-paid defender in football history, eclipsing the £75 million Liverpool paid Southampton for Virgil van Dijk last year.
Should Maguire stay at United for seven years, he would stand to earn £69.16million in wages, which would take the club’s investment to £149.16 million.
Hull City will receive a £9.45million windfall from Maguire’s transfer owing to a clause they negotiated when they sold the player to Leicester two years ago that entitles them to 15 per cent of the profit made on any future sale.
It is understood Sheffield United are also in line for a small sum – believed to be under £500,000 – that is the result of a clause they had written into Maguire’s contract when he left for Hull five years ago.
Maguire becomes United’s third summer signing after Daniel James and Aaron Wan-bissaka and the centre-half has declared himself fit for the Chelsea match.
Solskjaer is expected to partner him alongside Victor Lindelof.
“I’ve worked hard and done every session and played every game for Leicester so my fitness is there,” Maguire said. “I knew if I got the move, I wanted to be in contention to play my first game.”
Maguire is convinced the manager is assembling a side that will challenge for trophies again.
“I am excited about the vision and plans he has for the team,” Maguire said. “It’s clear to see Ole is building a team to win trophies. When Manchester United come knocking on your door, it is an incredible opportunity.”
Solskjaer believes Maguire will be crucial to his desire to play out from the back and also bring leadership and presence, as well as greater aerial threat.
“Harry is one of the best centrebacks in the game,” 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 – coupled with his composure on the ball and a huge presence in both boxes – I can see he will fit well into this group both on and off the pitch.”
The first player Maguire met at Carrington was Paul Pogba, whom he also watched play part of a behind-closed-doors friendly against Blackburn Rovers Under-23s, and the pair seem likely to remain teammates beyond the close of the transfer window on Thursday.
United flatly rejected a bid of 30million euros (£27.6million) plus James Rodriguez for Pogba last week, a derisory offer that is thought to have confirmed United’s long-held suspicions that Real have not had the funds to finance a serious move for the France midfielder.
Pogba still wants to leave United, but Solskjaer has been encouraged by his attitude during pre-season.
United are still hopeful of offloading Romelu Lukaku, despite a potential swap deal for Juventus’ Paulo Dybala falling through. Inter Milan also remain hopeful of being able to strike a deal for the Belgium striker.
In an unexpected turn, Lukaku flew to Belgium yesterday to train with Anderlecht’s youth team. He is understood to have had United’s permission as the players were on a day off and is due back at Carrington today.