Rafael van der Vaart claims new Manchester United star Harry Maguire was England’s worst player at the Nations League
Rafael van der Vaart revealed Harry Maguire was considered England’s worst player at the Nations League.
The centre-half became the most expensive defender in football history when he completed an £80million move from Leicester City to join Manchester United.
However, former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Van der Vaart was left flabbergasted at the fee shelled out by the Red Devils.
During the UEFA Nations League finals back in June, the Ajax legend was working for a television company in the Netherlands.
And, as he revealed on Sky Sports, the consensus amongst the Dutch was the 26-year-old was actually a liability.
“It’s funny because during the Nations League, I was doing work for Dutch television,” he said.
“And I remember we were saying ‘Harry Maguire was by far the worst player on the pitch’.
“And then, two months later [he transferred for] £90million.”
Maguire is expected to make his Old Trafford debut on Sunday afternoon when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is likely to entrust him to start against Chelsea.
And the Norwegian is delighted to have signed his number one target during the transfer window.
“I’m delighted we have got Harry in because he’s going to be great for this club,” said Solskjaer.
“He was always my No 1 target. I more or less made my mind up when we played Leicester that if it was possible to get him, we should at least try. He is so composed on the ball and he gives the team another dimension.
“He has already shown what a presence he will be and what an impact he will have in the squad. Harry is a leader, an established international, a goal threat and a very, very good defender.
“I don’t want to compare us to Liverpool or Harry to Van Dijk, but I know Harry is going to have a massive impact on us, yes.”