‘Wow!’: Pundit was left shocked when United star reached out to thank him directly for praise on match coverage

Jermain Defoe recently divulged an exchange he shared with Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire.

The 30-year-old’s time at Old Trafford has been nothing short of tumultuous, and his record-breaking, £80 million price tag that made him the most expensive defender in world football catapulted him into the firing line when he made the switch from Leicester City.

Maguire’s form has often fluctuated for United and, of course, there have been some howlers or errors every now and then that have proven costly in key moments – but several other players have also gone through that same cycle.

Still, it’s been refreshing to see the former captain oversee a resurgent spell this season, even if it has been amidst a woeful term for Erik ten Hag and the team overall. Maguire, prior to his injury setback, became a mainstay in the starting 11 and was one of the side’s standout performers each week, which is remarkable given how close he came to leaving last summer.

Defoe details Maguire exchange

Defoe revealed that after speaking highly of Maguire during match coverage for an England fixture, the Red reached out to him directly and thanked him for the uplifting praise.

“Harry Maguire actually messaged me, thanking me because again I did an England game,” the former player said on Defoe and Deeney Football Firsts. “I think I said something like, ‘the last few tournaments he’s been one of my better players’.

“And he messaged me on Instagram basically just saying, ‘Thanks a lot, appreciate it, I heard some of the things you said on the tele’. I was like wow!”