Manchester United defender Harry Maguire says his world record £80million price tag is not a burden and has told Manchester United fans to judge him over time.
United have endured their worst start to a season in 30 years and a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle on Sunday extended their winless run away from home to 11 games in all competitions.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side has won just two of their opening eight Premier League games and is down in 12th in the table, just two points off the relegation zone.
Maguire joined United from Leicester City for £80 million in August to bolster the club’s defense.
The Englishman has already established himself as a key man in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first team, playing every minute of their eight Premier League games so far this term and Maguire is confident he and his team-mates will be successful.
“It’s the long term, that’s what the main thing is,” Maguire told the club’s official magazine Inside United.
“In five or six years, judge me then – whether I have been a success at this club or not.
“I do believe and am really confident that, in five or six years, I’ll be a success and I am sure we’ll have many, many good times here.
“We need to keep improving as a team, not just me as an individual. I feel, if we improve as a team, I’ll be a success too.”
Despite the huge price-tag and high expectations, the England international is not concerned.
“It doesn’t bother me at all,” he said. “It’s something that I can’t affect. Leicester wanted to keep me and they are in a great position as a club.
“Manchester United wanted to buy me and they came to an agreement. It’s probably a good deal for both parties and it’s something now where I want to concentrate on my football.”
Maguire is currently on international duty with the Senior England team and is likely to start alongside Michael Keane or Joe Gomez for the Euro 2020 qualifier against Bulgaria.
