Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has expressed his profound shock at how the club's progress under former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer dramatically unravelled, just as the Norwegian is being linked with a sensational return to Old Trafford.
Maguire's Glowing Endorsement of the Solskjaer Era
Speaking in an interview on Rio Ferdinand's YouTube channel in August, Maguire reflected candidly on Solskjaer's tenure. The centre-back, who joined United in 2019, described the period as "the best I've ever felt" in a team setup. He credited Solskjaer and his coaches, Kieran McKenna and Michael Carrick, for creating a "well organised, tactically brilliant, and pragmatic" side that could both play and press effectively.
Under Solskjaer's management, which began as an interim role in December 2018 before becoming permanent in March 2019, United achieved significant milestones. The team secured consecutive top-three Premier League finishes in 2020 and 2021 and reached the 2021 Europa League final, only to lose to Villarreal in a penalty shootout.
The Sudden Collapse and Summer of Disappointment
Maguire's disbelief centres on the stark contrast between that success and the swift decline that followed. "We just couldn't believe what happened," the England international admitted. The 2021 summer transfer window, which saw the high-profile arrivals of Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane, and Cristiano Ronaldo, had filled the squad with belief that they could challenge for the title.
Instead, the campaign faltered from the start. "It just never happened. It just never clicked," Maguire stated, lamenting the dismissal of Solskjaer in November 2021 with the team languishing in seventh place. He was unequivocal in his praise, adding, "I felt like Ole did an unbelievable job."
Solskjaer's Potential Old Trafford Return Gains Momentum
Maguire's comments emerge at a pivotal moment, with Solskjaer now being touted for a shock return to Manchester United as a caretaker manager. This follows the club's recent split with Ruben Amorim. The defender's testimonial is seen as a powerful endorsement from within the dressing room.
Reports suggest this sentiment is shared by other senior players. Club captain Bruno Fernandes, whom Solskjaer signed in January 2020, is understood to be receptive to the idea. Before Solskjaer's sacking, Fernandes publicly backed him, telling Sky Sports the manager had achieved a "big improvement" and that the team's struggles were "not only the coach's fault."
Meanwhile, the club's immediate future sees Under-18s boss Darren Fletcher taking temporary charge, starting with Wednesday's fixture at Burnley. Former United midfielder Michael Carrick, who worked alongside Solskjaer and has since left Middlesbrough, has also been approached regarding the managerial vacancy.
Maguire's revelations paint a picture of a unified and well-drilled squad that peaked under Solskjaer before a sudden, inexplicable breakdown. As speculation over a dramatic reunion intensifies, his words offer a compelling insight into why such a return might not be as surprising to the playing staff as it seems to the outside world.
