Harry Maguire

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'He has made huge strides in the right direction and can be a leader of men': Rio Ferdinand backs world's most expensive defender Harry Maguire to live up to his £80m price-tag at Manchester United... just like he did

* Rio Ferdinand is backing Harry Maguire to be a hit at Manchester United
* Maguire became most expensive defender ever after joining in £80m deal
* Ferdinand had to bear that tag when he moved to United from Leeds in 2002
* And he believes Maguire can justify his price tag and be a success like he was
* He said: 'Maguire's grown into someone who can lead and be a leader of men'

Rio Ferdinand has dealt with the intense pressures that come with signing for Manchester United and shouldered the weight of expectation from a record-breaking fee before and now he is backing Harry Maguire to do the same.

Maguire became not only Britain's most expensive player but also the world's most expensive defender of all time when he completed his £80million move from Leicester this week.

As ever with such a big-money deal, questions will be asked. Is he ready to make the leap from Leicester to United? Will he live up to the price tag? Have United overspent?

Ferdinand has been there before, breaking the same records as Maguire has when he joined United from Leeds in a £30m move back in 2002.

The 40-year-old went on to sew his name into United folklore during a hugely successful 12-year spell at the club and believes Maguire has what it takes to handle the tag and be a hit at Old Trafford as well.

'Most expensive defender of all time. Harry Maguire signs for £80m. Funny enough we've both been there!' he wrote on Instagram.


Rio Ferdinand has backed Harry Maguire to live to up his world-record £80million price tag. Maguire became world's most expensive defender after sealing £80m move from Leicester

'Is there pressure? Yes. Is there expectation from across the world? Definitely... Are all eyes on Me? 100 per cent. Will Your teammates be expecting big things? Of course.

'Will people be expecting a massive change in the teams fortune? Most definitely. These were the feelings, questions that were surrounding me when signing for the great club Manchester United.

'Being a centre back, I have took a keen interest In Harry Maguire's game since being linked with United under [David] Moyes. He has made huge strides in the right direction and improved in all areas of his game.'

Ferdinand also believes that Maguire has the personality to be a senior figure in the dressing room and is capable of changing the club's fortunes following last season's underwhelming campaign.

He added: 'Maguire's grown into someone who can lead and be a leader of men and shown at both ends of the pitch he can be effective. He has composure, willingness on the ball as well as the ability to drive out from the defence which I feel is as good as anyone in the game right now.


Ferdinand was the most expensive defender of all time in 2002 when he signed for United. Ferdinand left United in 2014 as a legend after a trophy-laden 12-year spell at the club

'Does he have things to work on? Of course like everyone else! After speaking to numerous people that know him, they all say what a level headed, hard working lad he is who will give 110 per cent for his team which he echoed when signing.

'I think something United have needed defensively in recent years is a big character who can take on the responsibility of leading from the back and from what I've heard from people who know him well, they are confident that he will bring that to this football club.

'I would like to wish him well in the no 5 shirt and hope he can help bring back success to our club. Good Luck.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7328161/Rio-Ferdinand-backs-Harry-Maguire-live-80m-price-tag-Man-Utd-just-like-did.html