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Harry Maguire responds to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer comments on Man Utd captaincy


Harry Maguire admitted he is working on his leadership skills following suggestions by his manager he could be a future Man Utd captain.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said recently of his £80 million summer signing: “Maguire has already been in my head thinking about him as a future captain.

“He’s a leader on the pitch, he defends really well. Off the pitch a top, top professional. He voices his opinion before training and in the dressing room.”

Solskjaer is yet to choose his own skipper at United, with veteran Ashley Young inheriting the role of club captain from Antonio Valencia in the summer.

But Maguire revealed it is not his primary concern, despite looking to make improvements in that department.

Maguire has shown leadership qualities in United’s defence

Speaking in his programme notes for United Review ahead of the clash with Arsenal , Maguire said: “It’s something I still want to improve on, my leadership qualities on the pitch and especially my talking.

“I want to demand more from the players, demand standards, but I’m obviously not concentrating on that at the moment.

“I am fully focused on improving the team and getting this club back to where it should be.”

Maguire has been one positive in an otherwise largely disappointing start to United’s season.

Maguire (3L) is one of the more experienced heads in the United dressing room

The 26-year-old has been ever-present in the starting XI since his move from Leicester , drawing praise for his defensive capabilities.

But Maguire feels he has more to offer than just helping to keep the ball out.

“I see myself as a threat,” he added. “I’ve had a couple of headers this year up to now and I’m sure to get on the end of many more crosses and create chances in the box. It’s something I take pride in as I work on it on the training pitch.

“I like to say I’ll chip in with some goals to help the team out in terms of getting some good results.”

He has assured fans he will not stop playing out from the back

Maguire has certainly shown his talents are not just limited to those required in defence.

The England international is often commended for the way he starts moves from the back – something he says won’t change.

“I definitely feel like it’s the modern game, bringing it out from the back and it’s something I do thrive on,” Maguire added.

“I want to step in and help the team going forward by starting attacks well and threading balls through the lines, to try and get people on the half-turn to play forward.

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“I think it’s a big part of the game now, for centre-backs not just to defend, but to have a big part in keeping the ball, controlling the game and starting attacks.

“My game will improve the more I know my team-mates and the more I experience I have of playing with them, the position they take up, the way they want to receive the ball and the areas in which I receive the ball so I know where my team-mates will be without having to look and try to find them.

“It will improve and I’m sure I’ll improve throughout the season, playing with my team-mates more and improving my relationship with Vic (Victor Lindelof). We will improve as a team as well and we’ve got to improve.”





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