Captain, leader, legend
HARRY MAGUIRE is on the way to becoming one of Manchester United’s great captains according to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
And the Old Trafford boss has revealed even he has been shocked at how quickly England star Maguire has settled as United skipper just six months since his £80million move from Leicester.
Solskjaer hoped Maguire, 26, would eventually emerge as a captain after paying a world record fee for the star.
And he is confident Maguire can be an even bigger influence once United turn the corner and emerge from a slump that has seen them lose the capability to challenge for the Premier League title.
“We’ve had different captains down the years – Gary Neville, Roy Keane, Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs – they’ve all been different personalities,” said Solskjaer.
“But Harry’s his own man. United are, if not the biggest, one of the two or three biggest clubs in the world and he’s now the frontman for it.
“Harry is a born leader – definitely. That was what we spoke about in early talks with him as well, that he can take the leadership.
“He’s the one we wanted for that.
“To be honest I didn’t expect him to be captain this quickly.
“Since the start, though, he’s been in the dressing room and speaking with the coaches. He’s vocal, he’s got the experience, he’s got everything a captain should have.
“I always thought it’s natural for him to take that role but his performances have helped too.
“I’m delighted with the boy. That was one of the attributes we were looking at when we signed him.
“As a captain at this club you have to be thick-skinned – you can’t sulk or feel sorry for yourself, you have to get on with things and be proactive.
“He’s got to lead men, we’ve got a few men and some boys as well but he’s got to go in front as an example for everyone
– and he is.
“And when the team is more consistent he’ll be an even bigger presence – definitely.”
Maguire has played 36 of United’s 41 games this season – and Solskjaer has revealed his skipper has never once asked for a rest.
“You’ve got to be able to churn out games, play time and time again but he’s never once asked for a rest.
“He plays internationals, he plays for us, midweek and at the weekend.
“He’s that type of personality that wants to be out there on the pitch – that’s a true leader.
“Harry even organises paintballing, bonding dinners, a fining system – he’s taken on everything!”