MANCHESTER UNITED star Harry Maguire may have had a difficult campaign, but at least he’s got the support of his new boss.
The Red Devils captain, 29, has struggled for form – like may of his team mates to be fair – in what was a dismal campaign for the 20-time league champions.
Harry Maguire became the most expensive defender in the world after signing for United in 2019 for £85mCredit: Getty – Contributor But Maguire, nicknamed slab-head, could have been an accountant, his former teacher revealedCredit: PA:Press Association
But despite some inconsistent performances, incoming Dutch boss Erik ten Hag has backed the England star to come good.
“Next season is a different season,” ten Hag revealed in a press conference.
“He’s done a great job, and he’s a great player.
“He’s achieved a lot with his contribution to Manchester United so I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Maguire has enjoyed a remarkable rise. The burly 6ft 4in defender was a revelation at Leicester City and one of the first names on the team sheet for England, but when he was a kid he was a numbers whizz.
Maguire attended St Mary’s Catholic High School in Chesterfield, where he excelled with his studies.
“He was a remarkable pupil who always came in and worked very hard,” Sue Cain, deputy headteacher at the school told the Derbyshire Times.
“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.”
The brainy centre half ended up scoring high grades in his exams, including in maths which is where Cain believed he had a future.
“He got A* and A grades in his GCSEs,” she revealed.
“I think he would have gone on to study business or maths and probably have been an accountant.”
In the end, the Sheffield-born star chose football, even though he showed promise at cross-country running, rugby and table tennis as a pupil.
A keen runner as a kid, Harry Maguire, left, shone at school sports dayCredit: SWNS:South West News Service Maguire, second row first from the right, was a brain box at schoolCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
His former PE teacher, Martin McKee said he was destined to become a footballer.
“He could really dominate a game from central midfield,” he divulged.
“He had an aura about him. He could dribble around everyone if he wanted to.”
FAMILY AFFAIR
Level-headed Maguire might’ve left the school over 10 years ago, but he’s still very much part of their fabric.
He returns regularly, giving talks to the boys about his experiences and presented his former teachers with a signed shirt.
It’s the same school his brother Laurence, who plays for Chesterfield, attended. Their sister, Daisy was also taught at St Mary’s.
Football in the Maguire clan is a family trait. Another brother Joe, 26, currently plays for Tranmere Rovers.
But it’s Harry who’s earned all the plaudits and he’s had to work hard to get where he is today.
As a youngster he looked up to the likes of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, knowing that he had to work hard on his distribution to be taken seriously in the modern game.
On a trip to the school, Maguire presented a signed shirt to former PE teacher, Martin McKee and Deputy Headteacher, Sue CainCredit: Glenn Ashley Photography As a teenager, Maguire starred for boyhood club Sheffield UnitedCredit: Getty Images – Getty At The Blades, Maguire won their Player of the Season award three years in a rowCredit: PA:Press Association
HE ACHIEVED HIS DREAM
He fulfilled a childhood dream by playing for Sheffield United, where he came through their youth system.
In his first full season, he helped the Blades into the playoffs as they attempted to gain promotion from League One.
A heartbreaking penalty shootout loss in the final to Huddersfield Town in 2012 dampened his spirits slightly.
However, Maguire’s contribution was well-received, and he was named both their Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year during a remarkable nine month spell.
Sporty Maguire launches a shot put during sports practiceCredit: SWNS:South West News Service Maguire’s presented with a house awardCredit: SWNS:South West News Service Soon, Maguire was playing in the Premier League with Hull CityCredit: Getty Images – Getty Maguire scored his first Premier League goal against MiddlesbroughCredit: Reuters
For the next two years, he was crowned Player of the Year as his star continued to grow.
PREMIER LEAGUE REGULAR
In 2014, Steve Bruce, a commanding centre half in his day, decided to splash £2.5m on the promising talent.
That’s where Maguire continued a trend of rising to a tougher challenge.
In 2016, he made his Premier League debut with Hull City – becoming a regular when Marco Silva took charge.
Harry Maguire become an England hero at the World CupCredit: Getty – Contributor Fearless defender Maguire helped England reach the semi-finals of the 2018 World CupCredit: Getty – Contributor
It was a tumultuous season for The Tigers, who in the end were relegated, but for Maguire, personally, it was another landmark.
Showing his leadership qualities, he captained the East Yorkshire side to victory against Middlesbrough in April 2017 in a 4-2 win.
He also scored his first Premier League goal – a bullet header – that’s become something of a trademark.
In 2017, Leicester City secured Maguire’s services for £17m, which had some experts in the game questioning his transfer fee.
But Maguire instantly became a hero on the pitch with the Foxes. His heart and desire earning him the Players’ Player of the Season, as well as Fans’ Player of the Year in his first season.
Goals from headers have become Maguire’s trademarkCredit: Reuters Leicester City paid £17m for Maguire’s services in 2017Credit: Reuters A fearless competitor, Maguire’s a hard grafter on the training pitchCredit: Getty – Contributor Maguire modelled his distribution on the likes of John Terry and Rio FerdinandCredit: Getty – Contributor
His commitment to the cause – Maguire played every minute of the 2017-18 campaign – was adored by his supporters.
HE’S NOT VERY SHOWBIZ
Off the pitch, Maguire lives his personal life privately.
He does have a glamorous Wag in tow, the beautiful Fern Hawkins – a physiotherapy graduate – who rose to fame after she was seen cheering him on in Russia from the stands.
The pair regularly pose for loved-up selfies on social media, but Maguire is normally one to shun the limelight and glitzy life.
In 2019, they became parents for the first time – and Maguire shared a snap of his daughter Lillie Saint on Instagram.
A year later they added Piper Rose to their family.
Fern Hawkins is Harry Maguire’s stunning wifeCredit: Instagram Every inch a Wag, Hawkins shares snaps of her glamorous life on social mediaCredit: Instagram Hawkins rose to fame cheering on Maguire from the stands at World Cup 2018Credit: Getty – Contributor Despite sharing some snaps on social media, Maguire does like to keep his private life personal Maguire got engaged to Hawkins in 2018Credit: Instagram @_fernhawkins In 2019 Maguire shared an image of his daughter on social mediaCredit: Instagram @_fernhawkins
In early May, Maguire and Hawkins finally said their ‘I do’s’ at a low-key Crewe Registry Office ceremony, but plan on having a more romantic ceremony in a chateau in France this summer.
But don’t be fooled into thinking he’s all glitz and glamour. After all, we’re talking about a man who once reported for England duty with two carrier bags full of his stuff that trended on Twitter. That picture got him a rollicking from his mum.
“I’ve seen the picture on Twitter with the bags. It was just full of boots and shin pads and dirty stuff which I’ll give the kit man,” he said at the time.
