Graeme Souness has said Harry Maguire can have a similar impact as Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool
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Maguire joined Manchester United from Leicester for £80million, breaking Liverpool's £75million world-record fee for a defender - paid for Virgil van Dijk.
Souness has been a big fan of Maguire and believes the England international is the modern centre-back United need so desperately.
Although the Liverpool legend expressed surprise on why Manchester City did not beat the Old Trafford outfit to the 26-year-old's signature.
"He's the real deal for me," Souness said of Maguire.
"His character, the qualities he has, his reading of the game. When you think the way the game's evolved, it's never been more important than it is today for a centre-half to be able to see the picture and to be able to deliver what he sees.
"The way the game’s evolved everyone’s playing out from the back now. That's where the game generally starts, nine times out of 10, goalkeepers rarely kick it long.
"So your centre-back in the middle of the pitch is generally what your central midfield player used to be.
"So I think in that respect he will make a big difference to United. He will have a calming effect on the rest of the team.
"I would expect him to have the influence that Van Dijk has had at Liverpool. I think he's a great signing. I'm surprised City didn't break the bank to get him, if they have a bank that could be broken.
"But I think he is sensational, I think he is everything you want in a centre-half today.
"The thing I like about him, when I see Virgil van Dijk play, this is maybe because Leicester go behind and Liverpool don’t very often, but when they are behind or when they’d go behind at Leicester, he’d step into midfield and he will try and make a difference.
"He will come out and try and be a midfield player [meanwhile] Virgil stays in his position and is happy to just make sure it's tight at the back. I think [Maguire] is the real deal."