Solskjaer: Maguire is a natural leader
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has praised the impact Harry Maguire has already had at Manchester United, since joining the club this summer.
The defender is, of course, gearing up to face his former side Leicester City on Saturday, when the Foxes travel to Old Trafford for our 15:00 BST kick-off in the Premier League.
It is the first time Maguire has faced his old team-mates since his summer transfer and Ole believes the England international is eagerly anticipating this weekend’s clash.
It is the first time Maguire has faced his old team-mates since his summer transfer and Ole believes the England international is eagerly anticipating this weekend’s clash.
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“I'm sure he's looking forward to playing against his old team, but now he's here, he's going to be a big part of the future of this club,” the boss said in Friday’s weekly press conference.
“That's why I know so much about Leicester as well, because we've watched him enough to know that he's the guy we wanted. That's why we spent the money we did on him. And Leicester didn't want to lose him.”
It has been an encouraging first month for Maguire at United and he was selected on the three-man shortlist for our August Player-of-the-Month award.
While Ole’s intensive research meant he knew the 26-year-old had the quality to play for the Reds, the Norwegian revealed he has been impressed by Maguire’s leadership traits and hinted that he could, one day, see the centre-back as a future United skipper.
“That's why I know so much about Leicester as well, because we've watched him enough to know that he's the guy we wanted. That's why we spent the money we did on him. And Leicester didn't want to lose him.”
It has been an encouraging first month for Maguire at United and he was selected on the three-man shortlist for our August Player-of-the-Month award.
While Ole’s intensive research meant he knew the 26-year-old had the quality to play for the Reds, the Norwegian revealed he has been impressed by Maguire’s leadership traits and hinted that he could, one day, see the centre-back as a future United skipper.
“I think he's been brilliant [since signing],” said Ole. “I think he's come into the dressing room and been a leader. He’s also obviously a leader on the pitch, you can see that.
“He is definitely a character and a personality that can be a captain of a big club, yeah, and he's a leader in the dressing room - by performances, presence, stature and behaviour.
“He's a character that you'd say you'd like to follow. Some are technical leaders, some are leaders by voice and he's got the lot really.”
“He is definitely a character and a personality that can be a captain of a big club, yeah, and he's a leader in the dressing room - by performances, presence, stature and behaviour.
“He's a character that you'd say you'd like to follow. Some are technical leaders, some are leaders by voice and he's got the lot really.”
#MUtrivia
saysThe last time Leicester got a positive result against the Reds, it was courtesy of Harry Maguire’s 90th-minute equaliser in a 2-2 draw in December 2017.
Harry isn’t the only summer signing who has stood out in the opening four Premier League fixtures, as, so too, has Daniel James.
The winger could actually equal a 23-year-old United record this weekend if he were to score, as, in doing so, he would become only the second player in our history to net in all three of his first Premier League games at Old Trafford.
The only man to have achieved that feat to date is Ole, who jokingly claimed he wanted to keep that stat for himself.
“He [James] will only play the first minute and he's off, just to make sure,” the boss claimed with a chuckle, before stating he has not been surprised by Daniel’s excellent start to life at Old Trafford.
“You can see the potential in the boy when you're scouting him, when you follow him, when I've spoke to Giggsy [Ryan Giggs] as well, so I'm not surprised, no.
The winger could actually equal a 23-year-old United record this weekend if he were to score, as, in doing so, he would become only the second player in our history to net in all three of his first Premier League games at Old Trafford.
The only man to have achieved that feat to date is Ole, who jokingly claimed he wanted to keep that stat for himself.
“He [James] will only play the first minute and he's off, just to make sure,” the boss claimed with a chuckle, before stating he has not been surprised by Daniel’s excellent start to life at Old Trafford.
“You can see the potential in the boy when you're scouting him, when you follow him, when I've spoke to Giggsy [Ryan Giggs] as well, so I'm not surprised, no.
Why Ole is not surprised by James's impact Video
Why Ole is not surprised by James's impact
After scouting him for so long, Ole admitted he has not been surprised by Daniel James's excellent form...
"It's about confidence. He's come in and, of course, when you score in your first performance at Old Trafford, you get confidence and he's been great for us.
“There's more to come, that's the thing. He's always got that X factor with his pace, in and around the box. He'll always create chances and he's been practising left foot, right foot, crossing and finishing, so he'll score more goals.”
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“There's more to come, that's the thing. He's always got that X factor with his pace, in and around the box. He'll always create chances and he's been practising left foot, right foot, crossing and finishing, so he'll score more goals.”
Reading this in our app? If not, you might miss some exclusive features not found on ManUtd.com. Download the Official App here.
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