Harry Maguire has spoken warmly about his time playing under Ole Gunnar Solskjær at Manchester United, describing it as one of the best periods of his career. Since arriving at Old Trafford, the England defender has worked under several high-profile managers, yet he has now singled out Solskjær as the standout figure in his development at the club.
Solskjær, who took charge of United from 2018 to 2021, guided the team to several strong campaigns, including reaching the Europa League final in 2021. However, his tenure came to an end later that year following a poor run of results.
A turning point in 2021
-----------------------
The 2021/2022 season brought significant change for United, most notably with the return of Cristiano Ronaldo. While the move was celebrated by supporters, it ultimately caused disruption to the team’s balance and style of play. Ronaldo’s attributes did not fully align with the tactical system in place, and the club’s reluctance to see him join a Premier League rival meant they pressed ahead with the signing regardless.
The results suffered, and United’s form dipped, leading to Solskjær’s dismissal before the campaign reached its halfway point. Since then, the Norwegian has gone on to take charge of Turkish Super Lig side Besiktas.
Maguire’s lasting admiration
----------------------------
Reflecting on that period, Maguire shared his appreciation for Solskjær’s management and coaching style. As quoted by [Sporten](https://sporten.com/manchester-united-spiller-hyller-solskjaer-de-beste-arene-jeg-har-hatt/), he said:
“We lost Ole, which was very disappointing, to be honest. Ole did an incredible job. Where the 2021 team was weaker, the players were trained in an absolutely incredible way by Solskjær and his coaching team.”
He added: “I’ll probably talk more about Ole when I’m done, but the way he worked with us in the first two years is probably the best years I’ve had in a team.”
Maguire’s comments highlight the lasting influence Solskjær had on the United squad, particularly in fostering a positive environment and instilling a strong team spirit. Even though his reign ended without silverware, his impact on certain players remains clear.