Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is delighted seeing Leicester City defender Harry Maguire a step closer to moving to Old Trafford.

United have agreed an £80million deal to sign the centre half from Leicester.

The Manchester Evening News says Leicester rejected a £70m bid from United a month ago after the club decided to move for the centre half in the last week of June.

Following the opening offer, Ferguson was asked about United's pursuit of the England international by a fan and gave a bullish response.

The United great said: "They should take the lad in the boardroom and not let him out until he's signed!"

Ferguson is also understood to have been mystified as to why United did not make an approach for Maguire sooner.

Ferguson was in the stands to watch an 18-year-old Maguire start for Sheffield United at Old Trafford in their 4-1 FA Youth Cup final defeat to United in May 2011. Maguire also played against United as a 16-year-old in the 2009 Milk Cup in Northern Ireland.