Jonny Evans has revealed that he told Harry Maguire he would become Manchester United captain within a year while the England international was weighing up a move to Old Trafford.
Maguire made a much-anticipated switch from Leicester City last summer in a deal that was believed to cost around £80m, as per the BBC.
And after a successful start to his United career, he was quickly instated as club captain in January after the departure of Ashley Young to Inter Milan.
Evans, who enjoyed a good relationship with Maguire at Leicester, advised his former teammate to make the switch to United and believes he has proven to an be a good signing for the Reds.
“When Harry signed for the club he had a decision where to go. I told him to go to United because it was the perfectly made club for him,” the ex-United defender told the MUTV Group Chat.
“I said that within a year at the club that he’d be captain and when he got given the captaincy I text him and said: ‘That was quicker than what I expected!’. I think he’s got the perfect personality for it.
“If you look at Harry, he never gets injured, he’s played all season and I think he’s been a really good signing for United.”
Maguire is criticised by large sections of the fanbase and is too often judged against his high price tag.
But he does deserves credit for his impact this term as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad was seriously lacking in leadership skills before his arrival.
Maguire always demands the best of his teammates and he possesses the natural leadership skills which are beneficial within the dressing room.
The 27-year-old is set to come against Evans in Sunday’s crucial Premier League showdown. United can guarantee Champions League qualification if they avoid defeat against Brendan Rodgers’ side at the King Power Stadium.
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