Manchester United vs Leicester: Brendan Rodgers reveals text message exchange with Harry Maguire

Maguire faces his old team on Saturday afternoon

Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for Harry Maguire ahead of his reunion with the Manchester United centre-back at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Maguire seemed set to leave Leicester from as early as last January, but the saga dragged on for almost the entirety of the summer transfer window, with Leicester holding firm on their £80million valuation which was eventually met by United on August 2 - a week before the window shut.

Ahead of Maguire’s first game against his former employers, Rodgers spoke very positively about the England international, despite having only managed him for a few months.

"I text Harry still, and wished him the best playing with England the other day.

"He was a remarkable guy, a fantastic player and his behaviour in the period here during the summer typified him as a man.”

Rodgers further complimented the way that Maguire handled his transfer situation, after not handing in a transfer request and remaining media silent during the summer.

"All the way through the summer, his behaviour was always exemplary.”

“Even though it was so difficult for him right the way through the summer, from the end of the season right the way through... I'll always have a big respect for him for that.”

Despite United finally signing a centre-back, they have struggled defensively this season and have not kept a clean sheet since the opening day of the season in a 4-0 win against Chelsea.

Maguire has received some criticism for the media for his performance in United’s 2-1 home defeat against Crystal Palace and in England’s 5-3 win over Kosovo, where he conceded a penalty.

Rodgers maintained that Maguire has still had a positive impact at Old Trafford, saying: "He's a good guy and he's gone in there and you can see he's made them better."

Saturday’s encounter, though early in the season, is crucial for both sides as they look to mark themselves out as contenders for a top six place. Leicester, who sit third in the table and are unbeaten, have previous against last year’s top six after picking up a point at Stamford Bridge where many felt they could have had all three.