Harry Maguire will remain grounded after whirlwind summer, says Claude Puel

After his heroics at the World Cup, Manchester United tried and failed to bring the defender to Old Trafford

Claude Puel says Harry Maguire will refuse to become ‘cocky’ after his superb World Cup attracted interest from Manchester United.

The Old Trafford club ultimately fell short in their pursuit of the defender, having failed to meet the East Midlands club’s valuation of more than £70m.

And Maguire will be at Old Trafford on Friday night as a Leicester player for the first game of the new Premier League season.

Leicester suffered a fall-out when Riyad Mahrez reacted badly to the club rebuffing Manchester City’s initial efforts to sign him.

Puel is confident, however, there will be no repeat with Maguire.

“He’s a different character, of course, but it’s a different situation,” said Puel. “Riyad was at the club for many years and he was 27, perhaps the last opportunity for him to play for Manchester City.

“For Harry it’s new. It’s a good possibility for him to confirm with us, with good ambition with his team-mates and to continue to perform.

“He will continue to play with his national team and will stay at a high level.

“It was his first season with Leicester and it’s important, and he understands this, that he remains with the club for the owner for a new season and we will see after that.

Manchester United were unable to prise the defender away from Leicester (Getty)

“He’s a fantastic player and a fantastic man because he listens a lot, he wants to improve, he has a good personality and character but always with good respect for the staff and his team mates.

“When he came back after the World Cup he could maybe feel almost cocky.

“He could have been but he’s not. He came back with humility and with desire and will. He showed a good attitude like the man he is.

“The progress of different players is different. When I came in October Harry was a very good player but he had to make progress in the defensive aspect and to sometimes play quicker and start with the ball better.”

Puel has refused to say whether Maguire or Jamie Vardy will play, having only resumed training on Monday, but a defensive injury crisis could see Maguire pressed into action.

Meanwhile, Puel hinted that contract negotiations could begin shortly to give the former Hull City defender similar terms to Vardy and Leicester’s other top earners on more than £100,000-per-week.

“With our players we try to have good management with the owner, with Jon Rudkin (director of football) and myself,” said Puel.

Puel has said that the defender returned from Russia grounded despite his eye-catching performances (Getty Images)

“It’s important to discuss all the time with players and to look at the best interests of them.

“This will be something strong. It is just management between players and the club and all these things are in a good way.”

Puel saw Maguire’s stock soar with his displays in England’s march to the semi-finals in the summer.

And the Frenchman said he was proud despite knowing the tournament would make it harder to keep Maguire.

“Of course it’s a difficulty but my first feeling was that it is amazing for this player to show their quality and it’s a good publicity for Leicester,” said Puel.

“We are sixth in the table of all the international players at the World Cup, which is a good thing.

“But at the beginning of the season it’s difficult to prepare for the first games but I am happy about the fact all these players can play international games and take confidence and continue to develop their play and their possibility.

“I was happy of the progress of Harry in the second half of the season.

“He played with consistency and good progress, was strong in his defensive aspect and with quality to start with the ball.

“I like a player with a possibility to start from the back and Harry is this player.”