This archive report was first published on 6 August 2019.
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has expressed his admiration for Harry Maguire, who recently joined the club from Leicester City in a record £80 million deal.
Maguire's move to Old Trafford made him the most expensive defender in the game, surpassing Virgil van Dijk's £75 million transfer to Liverpool.
On August 6, 2019, Ferdinand congratulated Maguire on his new position and his decision to take up the number five jersey, describing him as a big character who can lead from the back.
"I think something MUFC 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 have heard from people who know him well, they are confident that he will bring that to this football club," Ferdinand said.
Ferdinand, a fellow centre back, has been impressed by Maguire's rapid growth and improvement as a defender over the years.
"He has made huge strides in the right direction and improved in all areas of his game. He's grown into someone who can lead and be a leader of men...and shown at both ends of the field he can be effective," Ferdinand said.
Maguire's ability to drive out from the defence and his composure on the ball are among his strongest attributes, according to Ferdinand.
"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," he said.
