Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has lavished praise on recent addition Harry Maguire, saying he could go on to be the club captain at Old Trafford.
The 26-year-old arrived from Leicester this summer for a world record fee for a defender of £80m, placing plenty of pressure on the Yorkshireman’s shoulders.
The England international has slotted straight into the centre of United’s defence and is forging a partnership at centre-back with Victor Lindelof, which Solskjaer is hoping will be his team’s solid base for years to come.
Solskjaer is delighted with Maguire’s performances so far in a Red Devils shirt, but also on his influence on the squad off the pitch.
34-year-old Ashley Young is the current club captain at United, but Solskjaer can clearly see a day when Maguire will inherit that role from him.
‘I think he’s been brilliant,’ said Solskjaer ahead of United’s clash with Leicester on Saturday. ‘I think he’s come into the dressing room, been a leader, he’s also a leader on the pitch and I’m sure he’s looking forward to playing against his old team.
‘Now he’s here he’s going to be a big part of the future of this club, we’ve watched him enough to know he’s the guy we wanted, that’s why we spent the money we did on him.
‘He’s a definitely a character and personality that can be captain of a big club, in the dressing room he’s a leader by performances, stature and behaviour, he’s a character you’d like to follow, some are technical leaders, some are leaders by voice, he’s got the lot.’
Maguire has had a hectic start to the season, starting all four Premier League games so far for his new team, and playing twice for England over the international break.
The former Sheffield United and Hull City star has been praised for his ability to play the ball out from the back, a skill Solskjaer has noted in one of his coaches, rather than a member of his squad.
Former United midfielder, and now first team coach, Michael Carrick played in Vincent Kompany’s testimonial match this week, and the Norwegian suggested the 38-year-old could be the perfect partner for Maguire in defence.
‘When you look at Michael Carrick the other night there’s a ball playing centre back! Maybe they could play together the two of them. But he’s in bits now, Carras.’
United have a tricky task on their hands on Saturday when they take on the unbeaten Foxes in a 3pm kick-off, a challenge that Solskjaer knows his side must rise to after three games without a win.
‘Leicester is always a tough game,’ said the United boss. ‘There’s a team wanting to push into the top four.
‘They’ve got good players and a very good manager, a proven top manager. Brendan’s teams always play good football and we know we’ve got to play well to deserve the three points.’
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