The Red Devils’ newest – and most expensive – defender follows in the footsteps of some club greats <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Manchester United have announced that Harry Maguire will take the number 5 at Old Trafford as the record defensive signing aims to replicate the success of some club icons to have worn the shirt before him.<\/p>\n
Marcos Rojo previously had the number, but Red Devils great Rio Ferdinand donned it before him, winning five Premier League titles, two League Cups and a Champions League crown in the 10 years he wore it.<\/p>\n
Other famous names that turned out at Old Trafford wearing 5 include Lee Sharpe, Ronny Johnsen and Laurent Blanc, to name a few.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Maguire has some big shoes to fill, but United clearly see the England international as the man to help shore up a shaky backline after shelling out a world-record \u00a380 million ($97m) for the former Leicester man, tying him to a six-year deal with an option for an additional season.<\/p>\n
Indeed, Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, formerly the most expensive defender in the world, recently stated that stress does come with such a large price tag, but that it shouldn’t matter too much to Maguire as there would already be huge pressure in playing for a club as big as United.<\/p>\n
Maguire joins Aaron Wan-Bissaka, formerly of Crystal Palace, and young winger Daniel James as part of the club’s British-based summer rebuild as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer attempts to return the Red Devils to the top echelons of English and European football.<\/p>\n
Sixth place in the Premier League and qualification for the Europa League was the height of United’s achievements last term, with Solskjaer having taken over from Jose Mourinho after a string of poor results and plenty of backroom drama.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Having strengthened in key areas, fans will be looking for a top-four finish and a return to Champions League football \u2013 something seen as the bare minimum for a club with such a storied history as United.<\/p>\n
The three-time Champions League winners have been credited with an interest in various other players across the summer, including Sporting CP’s Bruno Fernandes and Tottenham playmaker Christian Eriksen.<\/p>\n
Reports suggest, however, that Eriksen is more keen on a move to Spain, while the likelihood of bringing in any other targets is said to be low due to the English transfer window closing on Thursday, August 8.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n