The two players were on opposite sides for the 2011 FA Youth Cup final, Maguire playing for the Blades and Pogba for Manchester United. It was while at Sheffield United's academy that he faced an opponent who could soon become a team-mate - Paul Pogba. I am not surprised to see him go to the very top.' He was always very confident and felt he belonged at any level. 'He never got done for pace, he was always smart. 'He would want to be the best in training and always wanted to do that bit more,' he said. Maguire was given his first professional start by Adams in the Championship at the age of 18, but his leadership qualities and football brain were evident long before then.įormer Sheffield United academy director Travis Binnion worked with Maguire from when he was 16 and remembers a player who possessed a confidence and maturity beyond his years. He's a student of the game and takes information on board very quickly, particularly at the training ground.' 'He was terrific, he was very studious, and wanted to learn. 'He's a clever, clever footballer,' former Sheffield United manager Micky Adams, who gave Maguire his professional debut at the Blades back in 2011, tells BBC Sport. His lack of pace is an obvious factor and something that has previously put off other clubs - Huddersfield once turned down the chance to sign him for £1m because he was deemed to be too slow.īut Maguire makes up for that deficiency with his reading of the game. Maguire, however, is not the best of the best in all areas of his game. Think of the best players in the world and you will think of those who excel in all the attributes needed for their position on the pitch - Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are nigh-on perfect forwards while Kevin de Bruyne's skills, goals and passing ability make him a world-class midfielder. 'A student of the game always destined for the top' Manchester United have completed the £80m signing of the 26-year-old England centre-back from Leicester - but is he worth the money?īBC Sport takes a look at the stats and the story behind the player. Now he is the world's most expensive defender. Five years ago Harry Maguire was playing League One football.

Download bbc sport live