HAVE PUT THEIR SHIRT ON MAGUIRE

teenager’s hunger to learn which set him on the path to stardom at domestic and international level with England.

“He was a big gangly lad and not pleasing on the eye,” recalls Pemberton. “But early on I realised how good he could be with his ability and attitude. I made him pick the ball off the goalkeeper and bring it out.

“He would often have to beat a man to get out. He made a few mistakes early on but he was able to cope. He loved being put under pressure — nothing fazed him.”

He was soon training with the senior squad, although the first impressions for Neill Collins who was to become his Sheffield United central defensive partner weren’t good.

“I couldn’t believe he was going to be a fantastic footballer because he was too big,” smiled Collins, now coaching in Florida. “But after a few minutes training with us you could see he could play. He was very good with the ball at his feet despite his build.

“He’s probably the strongest player I’ve ever played with. His reading of the game is phenomenal.

“When he was at Hull I couldn’t believe one of the top clubs didn’t come in for him. But going to Leicester proved a great move.”

Striker Craig Bellamy will remember Maguire’s Sheffield United debut. “We were playing Cardiff at home and Harry came off the bench, said Collins. “His first piece of action was to smash into Bellamy, a brilliantly timed tackle which knocked the stuffing out of Craig, who, to be fair to him, didn’t complain.”

Maguire admits it was hard leaving his local club to join Hull. “I’ll always be grateful for Sheffield United giving me my chance.”

And he is delighted to be linking up again with his former Hull boss Mike Phelan at Old Trafford where he is assistant to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.