29 October 2023 , 06:15
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Pep Guardiola and Manchester City were very much in the race for Harry Maguire four years ago - only to lose out to their neighbours.
The centre-half was the statement signing Manchester United and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were after as they sought to usher in a new era. Maguire had been a standout performer for Leicester for several years and shone in the second half of the season under Brendan Rodgers.
Maguire's towering presence and his ability to play out from the back were seen as key assets as a battle for his signature began. Jose Mourinho, Solskjaer's predecessor, had wanted the defender and Guardiola was also seeking reinforcements after losing Vincent Kompany that summer.
Yet it was City who missed out, refusing to pay the money Leicester wanted. United were prepared to make Maguire the most expensive defender in history with Guardiola later congratulating their rivals.
He said: "Yeah. Maguire is an excellent, top-class player. We were interested, but we could not afford it. United afford it. He's an excellent player, national team too, he had an incredible World Cup.
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"He's strong in the air, good with the ball, the build-up, he drives with the ball, he's fast, so fast. He has all the qualities. Congratulations to United for this signature."
Even though Maguire by no means hit the ground running, City were left to rue their decision not to pursue another defender after missing out on his signature. Aymeric Laporte, then their leading centre-half, sustained a lengthy injury and their options were stretched, leaving Guardiola to play Rodri and Fernandinho in defence at one point.
Harry Maguire's £80m move to Man Utd was the biggest transfer of summer 2019 (Manchester United via Getty Imag)Maguire helped United go unbeaten in his first four league meetings with City but has confessed to discussing a possible switch to the Etihad before his affection for the Red Devils took over. He told The Overlap : "They were both interested, I spoke to Manchester City and I spoke to Manchester United.
"I grew up watching Manchester United, no disrespect to Manchester City... so I always had my heart set on this club. I spoke to Pep and obviously the football they play and what he's done for the club... (I have) great respect for him and what he's done for football, but my heart was set.
"It gave me great confidence and belief, for (United) to pursue it over a 12-15-month period, they showed how much they believed in me and how much I would be a big part of the team."
Pep Guardiola would sign Ruben Dias 12 months after missing out on MaguireFast forward four years and Maguire's decision to pick red over blue has perhaps not worked out as he planned while City's patience has been rewarded. The former Leicester man has fallen down the pecking order under Erik ten Hag, casting doubt over his England spot and his Old Trafford future.
Guardiola secured the signing of Ruben Dias the following summer with the Portuguese centre-half now seen as one of the game's elite defenders. With him at the back, City have won numerous titles including the historic treble they claimed last season.