Ole: Maguire typifies our improvement
Harry Maguire has been "getting better and better" in recent weeks, according to his Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who feels the captain's upward curve is mirrored by his colleagues.
Since a difficult few days at the beginning of November, when Arsenal and then Istanbul Basaksehir both inflicted defeats by one-goal margins, the Reds have won three games on the spin.
Maguire has been one of the key figures during that positive sequence, helping United to beat Everton, West Bromwich Albion and then Basaksehir in the return match at Old Trafford.
"He’s probably never looked back since the international break because he is improving, getting better and better, as the rest of the team is," said Solskjaer, when speaking to the Sunday newspapers.
Maguire has been one of the key figures during that positive sequence, helping United to beat Everton, West Bromwich Albion and then Basaksehir in the return match at Old Trafford.
"He’s probably never looked back since the international break because he is improving, getting better and better, as the rest of the team is," said Solskjaer, when speaking to the Sunday newspapers.
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When asked if he had given Maguire any specific guidance during a tough spell for the Reds, the manager replied: "No, we have had conversations of course, but Harry is a very sensible and intelligent man.
“He is his own harshest critic as well, he’s a leader and he’s never been afraid of fronting the team or standing up there when things go against him.”
“He is his own harshest critic as well, he’s a leader and he’s never been afraid of fronting the team or standing up there when things go against him.”
The next objective for Solskjaer, Maguire and co is to claim what would be a club-record eighth consecutive away win in the Premier League, when United visit in-form Southampton this Sunday afternoon.
"The main thing for me is that we keep improving, and take the next game as the most important one so we don’t take our eye off the ball," said Ole.
"You can forgive any mistake if we have the right mindset and the right approach and I feel we are getting there. If we carry on improving as we have done, then I’m very sure we’ll move up the table."
"The main thing for me is that we keep improving, and take the next game as the most important one so we don’t take our eye off the ball," said Ole.
"You can forgive any mistake if we have the right mindset and the right approach and I feel we are getting there. If we carry on improving as we have done, then I’m very sure we’ll move up the table."
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Solskjaer was also asked about Bruno Fernandes's role in United's overall improvement during 2020, in particular his penchant for cajoling the players around him.
"I’ve been [a player] in a team and I like a team where it is not just the manager or the coaches who shout," admitted Ole.
"I want players to take responsibility and put other players into their place at times when that is necessary because they’re out there fighting for one cause and that is for the team to win.
"I’ve been [a player] in a team and I like a team where it is not just the manager or the coaches who shout," admitted Ole.
"I want players to take responsibility and put other players into their place at times when that is necessary because they’re out there fighting for one cause and that is for the team to win.
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"I think once in a while you just have to take a rollocking. Not that Bruno is just giving out rollockings, he is also instructing, and I think we can all learn from his mentality and mindset.
“If it is 2-0, he wants 3-0. If it is 4-0, he wants 5-0. He always wants to improve and for the team to improve.
“If we keep on improving, we have a very good opportunity because this squad is going places.”
“If it is 2-0, he wants 3-0. If it is 4-0, he wants 5-0. He always wants to improve and for the team to improve.
“If we keep on improving, we have a very good opportunity because this squad is going places.”
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