Call it serendipity. Call it Mike Riley’s design. But the manager who gave Harry Maguire his league debut as an 18-year-old unknown happened to be at Old Trafford for his first start as the world’s most expensive defender.



Micky Adams was in the stands as a referee assessor for the Premier League, sent by referees’ chief Riley to play close attention to Anthony Taylor but naturally letting his vision scan to a player he first laid eyes on in 2011. Adams gave Maguire his opening minutes in senior football eight years ago for Sheffield United, so there is a certain charm in their paths crossing again with Maguire now worth £80 million and carrying the hopes of Manchester United on his broad shoulders.



“He looked composed and had a surety about his game, he handled the ball well – as he can do,” Adams told The Athletic. ‘It was as good a debut as he could possibly have wished for.”



Adams is one of the...