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The centre-back had been strongly tipped to move to Old Trafford after an impressive World Cup campaign, but he claims the switch was never close
Leicester’s Harry Maguire – who recently signed a new five-year deal at the King Power – has revealed that there was only a ‘little’ interest from Manchester United in the summer and that he wanted to continue with the Foxes regardless.
The defender’s Premier League performances last season earned him a call-up to the England squad for the 2018 World Cup, during which his good form continued as the Three Lions made it to the semi-finals.
A flurry of reports linking the centre-back to Old Trafford soon followed as Jose Mourinho looked to add more quality to his backline, but Maguire claims a move was never really on the cards.
“No, I don’t think so,” he told a press conference when asked if a move to Man Utd was close.
“There was a little bit of interest there and then but it was always on my mind when I spoke to the owners [of Leicester], who wanted to keep me at the club and extend my contract, that I wanted to play for this club.
“The last two years have been remarkable for myself. I obviously got relegated with Hull and then joined such a great club in Leicester last season.
“I played every game in the Premier Leageue and to make a World Cup squad and to reach a semi-final is something that I am really proud of.”
Maguire will have his sights set on winning his 14th cap for his country when England face Switzerland on Tuesday, a match in which the the 25-year-old can help arrest a three-match losing streak.
Intent on pressing on with his development, the defender hopes that navigating a hectic summer can help him push on and enjoy another productive season.
“From the summer I think maybe just the experience of playing in the big games at the World Cup, playing in the high-pressure games.
“I haven’t done that so far in my career so to go out there, play in a World Cup and play under the pressures that were there, gives me great belief that I can go on and have another good season.”
As mentioned, Maguire recently put pen to paper on a new five-year deal at Leicester and went on to state that it was an easy decision to commit his future to the Foxes.
“After the World Cup I came back and sat down with the owners and they reiterated what they wanted me to do.
“They wanted to reward me for a great season and obviously a successful World Cup with England.
“I’m looking forward to the future now and to see where we can go as a club.”
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