CHRIS Maguire says the delay over signing for Oxford United had nothing to do with money after finally signing a deal yesterday.

The 27-year-old ended two months of uncertainty by putting pen-to-paper on a one-year deal and flew out to Spain with fellow new boy Joe Rothwell, who turned down a new deal at Manchester United to agree a two-year contract.

They arrived on the Costa del Sol in time to watch United’s 2-0 victory over Alhaurin de la Torre and will train with the squad at their La Cala Resort base later today.

Some supporters had given up hope Maguire would return, given the length of time the negotiations had taken.

The forward was offered a new contract in May after playing a key role in United’s strong run-in which earned automatic promotion.

But with two young sons in Scotland, it took time to weigh up his options, although in the end he turned down Championship clubs to reunite with Michael Appleton.

He said: “It wasn’t anything to do with money.

“I’ve got a good relationship with the manager and I know everybody at the club, so it wasn’t a hard decision to come back.

“I had other issues to think about, it wasn’t that easy as I’ve got two boys back home and spending the summer with them was good, but difficult to think what I do next.

“The confidence the manager gave me, saying he wanted me, was important.”

While Maguire knew all about United, Rothwell’s first impressions of the club were the hundreds of United fans who had made the 1,300-mile journey to Malaga for the friendly.

At the end of a very long day for the 21-year-old, who was offered the chance to stay at Old Trafford, it was an impressive sight.

He said: “It just shows the following the club has, I’m looking forward to the games now.

“I left Manchester at 6.30am to get down to Oxford for my medical and then drive to Birmingham to catch a flight.”

Appleton has been aware of the versatile attacking midfielder for several years and laid the groundwork months ago, which proved crucial in the former England youth international’s decision.

He said: “A few months back I had a coffee with the gaffer in Manchester and I said when pre-season comes around I’d come down and have a look at the club.

“I did that on Saturday, so it’s been quite a quick turnaround in making my decision.

“Meeting the manager so early swayed my decision to come.”