Pranav Nair
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer set to use Manchester United skipper Harry Maguire judiciously in the coming week
According to the club’s official site, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will not make undue use of skipper Harry Maguire in the upcoming games.
The English defender has been ever-present in the Red Devils line-up since joining us from Leicester City in 2019. He has so far played every minute of the 71 Premier League games since.
The 28-year-old is currently on course to beat the club’s record for outfield players in the division, held by Gary Pallister (if he plays the 90 minutes at Aston Villa on Sunday).
Solskjaer is well aware of Maguire’s record but believes he will have little choice but to rest him in the coming week. United travel to Aston Villa on Sunday before welcoming Leicester City on Tuesday and Liverpool on Thursday.
“I don’t think that’s possible now. That’s another stat that he could have been very, very proud of but I can’t really see that happening now.”
With three games to negotiate in five days, Solskjaer has little choice but to rotate his squad. He is unhappy with the situation but hopes his team will come out of the situation a stronger outfit.
“We just have to do the best we can, it’s another challenge for us and please, you can see I’m not happy with it, I’m not sulking, it’s one of them things that I know my players will take head-on and we as a group will be stronger for it when we come out of it.”
The biggest concern
With his team already reeling from a busy season, Solskjaer is worried about his player’s fitness. His only concern remains that his players come out of the run of games unscathed.
“I just keep my fingers crossed that no one will get injured. That’s going to be my biggest concern, injuries.”
While the Premier League title race is practically over, the race for the second spot is still on. Wins against Leicester and Liverpool should not just see us cement the second position but also win bragging rights against our top rivals.
More Manchester United News
- Solskjaer full of praise for Edinson Cavani and David de Gea after Manchester United qualify for Europa League final
- Fans react as Manchester United qualify for the Europa League final despite loss
- Romelu Lukaku among Manchester United rejects who showcase life away from Old Trafford is greener
Of the upcoming three games, one can argue that the upcoming clash against Villa is the least important. However, that is particularly the game that Maguire needs to see out in order to beat Pallister’s record.
Given that he will be needed against both Liverpool and Leicester, it remains to be seen if he will start the game against Villa.
