This archive report was first published on 5 August 2019.
Manchester United's new defender, Harry Maguire, made history with his £80 million transfer from Leicester City on Monday, becoming the world's most expensive defender.
Maguire's impressive skills on the pitch are matched by his academic achievements. According to his former schoolteacher, Sue Cain, Maguire was a 'remarkable pupil' who 'always came in and worked very hard'.
"He was never in any trouble and he had such a good attitude. He did everything you asked him to do and he never questioned why. He was a popular lad," Cain said in an interview with the Derbyshire Times.
Maguire's academic prowess was evident in his GCSEs, where he achieved A and A grades. Cain even joked that he could have pursued a career in accountancy.
Maguire's football career began in midfield, but he was later switched to central defence by Sheffield United academy manager John Pemberton. Pemberton noted that Maguire's ability to bring the ball out of defence made him stand out.
Maguire's idols were John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, with Ferdinand being a particular inspiration due to his ability to bring the ball out of defence.
Maguire's international debut in 2017 was a memorable one, with him arriving at the team's gathering in a bin bag. His mother was not impressed, but Maguire took it in good humor, explaining that the bag was full of dirty football gear.
