Harry Maguire may have arrived at Manchester United six years after Sir Alex Ferguson retired, but the centre-back has maintained a strong relationship with the legendary manager.

It’s been seven years since Harry Maguire joined Manchester United in an £80m deal from Leicester City. The best way to describe his time at Old Trafford is a rollercoaster ride.

The 33-year-old has made 283 appearances for United, winning the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, but has had many ups and downs. After being handed the captain’s armband by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Maguire’s form dipped, and the Norwegian’s sacking coincided with the appointment of Erik ten Hag, who stripped him of the captaincy in favour of Bruno Fernandes.

Despite being linked with a move to West Ham in 2023, Maguire is still a United player. He signed a new one-year deal in the summer and has made 12 appearances so far this season.

Sir Alex Ferguson has always shown class with Harry Maguire

On the 40th anniversary of Sir Alex Ferguson’s appointment at United, it’s only right that we all reflect on the fantastic memories from the Scot’s 26 years at Old Trafford. United In Focus took a look at how Ron Atkinson lost his job and how Ferguson influenced Gordon Strachan’s move from Aberdeen in 1984.

Maguire never had the pleasure of playing under Ferguson, but the experienced centre-back did cross his radar in the FA Youth Cup final between United and Sheffield United. The first leg ended 2-2, while United went on to win the second leg to be crowned champions at Old Trafford, winning 6-3 on aggregate.

Unfortunately for Maguire, the former Sheffield United starlet was forced off in the second leg with a head injury. The Star claims he was knocked unconscious after a clash of heads with Ravel Morrison.

On top of the standing ovation Maguire received as he was stretched off the pitch, a letter signed by Ferguson was sent, wishing him a speedy recovery. This was a classy gesture the England international will never forget.

“He was at the game and I got a bad head injury and went straight to hospital in about the 35th minute,” Maguire told United’s official magazine.

“I think, a few weeks later, I received a letter from Manchester United, signed by Sir Alex. It was a great touch from him and from the club, and it just shows how classy he was, how classy the club is, and it’s something that I’ll never forget.

“It meant so much at the time. When I was playing at Sheffield United, Sir Alex obviously was a huge role model and a huge inspiration for anyone. It felt like you could never really be in contact with him.

“So, when you receive a letter from him, it was so important, so special, and it made me really believe in myself in the words that he spoke about in the letter. So, no, I’ll never forget that, and I really do appreciate it.”

Moreover, Ferguson has been in regular contact with Maguire since his transfer from Leicester City. He has offered the defender support during the lows he experienced at the club, passing on an important message to ignore the noise from outside the club.

“I’d have loved to have played under him,” Maguire added.

“I’m in contact with him quite a lot now. I speak to him as much as I can. I get as much information from him as I can.

“He’s so caring. Every time something goes wrong, he gets in contact with me. Or every time something goes well, he gets in contact with me. He’s so thoughtful, even though he’s not the manager now. He has such a big place at this club.

“When you hear from him or when he’s around the place, the aura, the inspiration that he brings, just with his presence, is so powerful. He’s a huge part of this club, and he will be forever.

“He’s always been giving me little bits and bobs and advice and information,” added Maguire. “He’ll tell me to pick myself up and things and get on with it and ignore the outside noise. Lots and lots.

“I’ve spoken to him many times over my eight years at this club. He’s always great for a chat and he says it as it is, still now. Every time you come into his presence, you still feel the aura and the inspiration he can bring to the team.

“He’s, like I said, the greatest manager of all time. He’s a great person and he’s always at the games. It’s great that he can still be at the games and support us. I know that he wants to come to every game he can.

“He’s still a massive fan and, like I said, he’s still a huge part of this club. He’ll be a huge part of this club forever. He’s a massive inspiration to anybody who comes and plays for this club now.”