Harry Maguire’s Tribute to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Brings A Rare Glimpse Behind The Curtain

Harry Maguire has not often been the kind of player to stir debate with his words, yet his recent comments about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did exactly that. In an era when Manchester United fans are split on every topic, from Erik ten Hag’s tactics to the future of Rasmus Højlund, Maguire’s heartfelt remarks about Solskjaer landed with surprising weight.

In an interview, the centre-back described Solskjaer’s time at the club as “unbelievable.” He went even further, claiming the way the Norwegian set up the team was “probably the best I’ve felt in a team” during his United career. What struck most was the honesty of the reflection. Maguire admitted United “didn’t have the best team,” yet under Solskjaer, he felt “well coached.”

For a player who has lived through several managerial regimes at Old Trafford, that tribute says a lot.

Why Maguire’s Praise is Significant

To understand the depth of Maguire’s words, you have to remember where he was in his own career when Solskjaer signed him. Brought in from Leicester City for £80 million in 2019, Maguire was handed the captain’s armband within months. He became a central figure in the dressing room at a time when United desperately needed stability.

Solskjaer provided that. He did not transform United into a relentless trophy-winning machine, yet he restored something equally vital: belief. His sides played with a sense of identity, particularly in transition. The front line pressed aggressively, Bruno Fernandes brought creativity, and players like Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood thrived on freedom in attack.

For defenders such as Maguire, Solskjaer’s tactical clarity mattered. United may not have always dominated possession, but they were organised in their shape, drilled in pressing triggers, and effective when countering. For a centre back, that meant fewer chaotic situations and more confidence in those around him. It is no wonder Maguire speaks so warmly of that period.

It also matters because Maguire has since lived through trouble. His form dipped, his captaincy was stripped, and he became the subject of relentless criticism. Under Ten Hag, he has had to rebuild his career from the fringes, and to fair play to him, he’s been a solid figure under Ruben Amorim’s back-three system. When he looks back at Solskjaer’s management as the moment he felt “best coached,” it reads almost as a reminder of how important trust and clarity are in a footballer’s career.

Solskjaer’s Approach and What Made it Work

Solskjaer was never a tactical revolutionary. He did not attempt to reinvent football in the mould of Pep Guardiola or Jürgen Klopp. Instead, he leaned on principles that suited United’s DNA. speed, directness, and togetherness.

Training sessions under his staff, including Kieran McKenna and Michael Carrick, were built around structure and repetition. The focus was on drilling the basics well, giving players confidence in their roles. Solskjaer’s calm personality added a human layer. He trusted his players, defended them in the media, and built relationships strong enough that many still speak highly of him today.

It showed on the pitch. United finished third in 2019–20, second in 2020–21, and reached the Europa League final, where they lost on penalties to Villarreal. Critics point out the absence of silverware, and fairly so. Yet when compared to the dysfunction that followed under Ralf Rangnick, the value of Solskjaer’s steady hand looks clearer in hindsight.

Maguire’s comments also highlight an often-overlooked aspect of football. Not every team needs the “best squad on paper” to perform. Sometimes, players flourish when the environment is simple and the instructions are clear. In that sense, Solskjaer maximised what he had, even if he fell short of building a team capable of challenging Europe’s elite.

The Legacy Debate

Supporters remain divided on Solskjaer’s legacy. Some argue he simply rode the wave of individual brilliance from players like Fernandes, Rashford, and Paul Pogba. Others believe he laid down a cultural reset, re-establishing values of hard work and unity after the chaos of José Mourinho’s final months.

The truth lies somewhere in between. Solskjaer did have limitations. United often looked lost when faced with well-drilled, possession-dominant sides. The team lacked depth, and tactical tweaks were not always forthcoming in difficult games. Those shortcomings were part of the reason he eventually lost his job.

Yet to dismiss his work entirely would be unfair. For two seasons, United were competitive in the league and in Europe. They played football that fans could connect with and developed young talents who remain central to the squad today. That balance of achievements and shortcomings makes his era harder to judge in black-and-white terms.

What is clear is that for players like Maguire, Solskjaer left a lasting impression. The respect he earned from within the dressing room cannot be ignored when assessing his time at Old Trafford.

What Maguire’s Words Mean Now

So why do these comments matter in 2025? Because Manchester United are once again at a crossroads. The search for consistency continues under new ownership and Ruben Amorim continues to find a solution after having probably the worst season in the club’s history.

Maguire’s tribute to Solskjaer is a reminder of what matters most to players inside the dressing room. They want clarity, trust, and a system that makes sense. Fancy tactics and high-profile signings grab headlines, but in the end, footballers perform best when they feel supported and secure.

As United look to rebuild again, perhaps there is a lesson to be taken from Solskjaer’s tenure. Even if he did not deliver silverware, he created an environment where his players felt they belonged. That counts for something in a sport where confidence can make or break careers.

Final Thoughts

Harry Maguire has never been universally adored by the Old Trafford faithful, yet his perspective on Solskjaer deserves attention. His words capture a side of football that often gets overlooked. Managers are judged by trophies and tactics, but players remember the feeling of being guided, trusted, and prepared.

For Maguire, that feeling reached its peak under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Fans may debate his legacy for years to come, yet in the eyes of one of his captains, the Norwegian did an “unbelievable job.” That is a verdict worth listening to.