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Injury News: Rangnick gives update on two key Manchester United stars for Brighton clash

Harry Maguire with Jadon Sancho in training. (Photo: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Harry Maguire with Jadon Sancho in training. (Photo: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick provides fitness update on captain Harry Maguire and Jadon Sancho

Speaking to the BBC (h/t The Sun), Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick provided an update on captain Harry Maguire and winger Jadon Sancho, who have been missing from the club’s previous few games.

Both players have been out of action for a while, missing the side’s final home game of the season as the Red Devils beat Brentford in a convincing 3-0 win. Juan Mata replaced Sancho in the team, while Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane were the central defensive partnership in place of Maguire.

Rangnick provided good news on his skipper, saying that Maguire might be available again. However, he was wary of an immediate return and said that they would have to wait and see if he could train on Wednesday.

“Harry Maguire might be available again. We have to wait and see if he can train the day after tomorrow [Wednesday].”

Harry Maguire could return for Manchester United before the end of the season, said Ralf Rangnick. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
Harry Maguire could return for Manchester United before the end of the season, said Ralf Rangnick. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

The Englishman has been nursing a knee injury over the past few weeks, further adding onto a terribly disappointing campaign for him personally. The 29-year-old has been woeful all term, unable to produce consistent displays on the pitch as the team have leaked goals at the back.

“He still doesn’t feel well”

Sancho is another England international who has missed first-team action for a while now, as the winger is struggling to recover from a tonsillitis issue. The former Borussia Dortmund man was last seen on the pitch in north London, as United suffered a 3-1 loss to Arsenal.

Rangnick had a worrying update on the 22-year-old, saying that any possible return for the forward may also come in the last game of the season. The German also revealed that Sancho was in hospital until very recently and still does not feel well, ruling him out of the upcoming Brighton game.

“If [he is to return] then maybe in the last game. I was in contact with him this afternoon. He was in hospital until this morning so he only returned back home today. He still doesn’t feel well so, for sure, not [vs Brighton].”

Jadon Sancho is suffering with tonsillitis, says Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Jadon Sancho is suffering with tonsillitis, says Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

After successive losses against Liverpool and Arsenal, the Red Devils seemed to have picked up some form of late, earning a draw against Chelsea and beating Brentford – both at Old Trafford. Cristiano Ronaldo has been in rampant form, scoring against the Gunners, the Blues, and the Bees.

However, the team has had to dip deep and has been stretched thin with Maguire and Sancho being unavailable for selection. Maguire last appeared in the 4-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield, while Sancho may already have played his final game of the season when he completed ninety minutes at the Emirates.

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Curiously, without the club captain’s presence in the side, the defensive line has looked slightly more fluid and solid as Varane and Lindelof have acted as the rocks at the back. Interestingly, in previous encounters over the campaign, the two players arguably seemed like a better defensive pair than with Maguire leading the rearguard on the pitch.

Sancho’s absence, however, has made more impact on the team as they have struggled a bit on the wing going forward. Anthony Elanga has been excellent on the flanks, but Marcus Rashford has not been able to fill the absentee’s shoes. Mata performed well against Brentford recently in place of Sancho, but it remains to be seen whether the Spaniard gets another start under Rangnick in the coming weeks.

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