20 September 2023 , 09:53
651
0
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has defended Harry Maguire, branding the "abuse" the Manchester United star is receiving a "disgrace".
Solskjaer was in charge when United signed Maguire from Leicester for £80m in 2019, a move which made him the most expensive defender of all time. Solskjaer also appointed him captain just five months after Maguire joined, with the Norwegian impressed by both his leadership skills and performances.
However, Maguire has struggled for form in recent seasons and was stripped of the captaincy by Erik ten Hag over the summer after falling behind the likes of Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof in the pecking order.
England boss Gareth Southgate has kept faith in the 30-year-old despite his lack of minutes for United and launched a staunch defence of Maguire after he was jeered by Scotland fans after coming on as a substitute in England's 3-1 win.
"I have never known a player to be treated the way he is - not from the Scottish fans but by our own commentators, pundits, whatever it is," Southgate said. "They have created something that is beyond anything I have ever seen.
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
"He has been an absolute stalwart for us in the second most successful England team in decades and he's been a key part of that. I've talked about the importance of our senior players and every time he goes on the field the resilience he shows, the balls he shows is absolutely incredible."
And Solskjaer has echoed Southgate's comments, telling the Athletic : " Harry Maguire – it's a disgrace that he's getting so much abuse. I feel sorry for him, but he's a strong lad and I hope it turns for him.
"He raised our defence big time when he arrived and lifted the mood around the place." United did accept an offer from West Ham for Maguire this summer, but the move ultimately fell apart and the defender says he is determined to fight for his place at Old Trafford.
"We just didn't come to an agreement and they were happy for me to stay and I was happy to fight for my place," Maguire explained when asked why the transfer did not happen. "I want to do that and every time I train or play I will give everything.
"I know, at the moment, when I have not started a game in the first four games of the season, the story comes to me. So, I need to keep performing when I get chosen. Listen, at club football, I want to play games. The first four weeks were hard because it was one game a week and the manager didn't select me but we have lots of games coming up now and I am sure I will play lots of games."