Harry Maguire has opened up about his admiration for Rio Ferdinand, claiming that the Red Devils legend took defending to “another level” and gave him something to aim for in order to play for a club such as Manchester United.
Maguire moved from Leicester City to United last summer in a £80m move, becoming the most expensive defender in history in the process.
There are clear parallels between Maguire and Ferdinand, who held the title of world’s most expensive defender twice after moving from West Ham United to Leeds United for £18m in 2000 and from Leeds to Manchester United for £30m two years later.
Ferdinand went on to enjoy a glittering 12 years at Old Trafford, winning the Premier League six times and lifting the Champions League in 2008.
And Maguire is keen to continue to emulate Ferdinand after heaping praise on his United predecessor.
“Rio Ferdinand took defending to another level, in terms of bringing the ball out from the back, stepping in and committing players,” he said.
“He’s the player who made me open my eyes and think ‘that’s what you need to be a top centre-back'.”
Maguire has settled into life with the English giants well and was appointed club captain in January after Ashley Young left for Inter Milan.
He has skippered his side to a 12-match unbeaten run which has only been halted by the coronavirus outbreak leading to the suspension of all professional football in England.
Maguire is unable to replicate Ferdinand’s achievement of winning the Premier League in his first season at Old Trafford, but his side’s impressive run of form could see the Red Devils snatch a Champions League spot.
United are currently three points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea with nine games remaining in the league season, while they also remain in the Europa League and FA Cup.
