Aheed Abrar
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire confident of returning from ‘minor’ injury this weekend
Harry Maguire is confident of returning for Manchester United from a ‘minor’ injury before the weekend, according to ESPN (h/t Metro). The 29-year-old is also confident of being in contention for England’s World Cup squad.
Gareth Southgate is expected to pick his preliminary group of players he will be taking to Qatar on 20 October. The defender hopes to ease any worries the Three Lions boss may have about his fitness.
Man United take on Omonia Nicosia at Old Trafford in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, 13 October. The Red Devils then welcome Newcastle United to the Theatre of Dreams on the weekend in the Premier League.
Maguire has been on the sidelines since picking up an injury during the international break. The 29-year-old started against Italy and Germany in the UEFA Nations League group-stage fixtures.
Against Hansi Flick’s team, Maguire played the full 90 minutes but picked up a knock in the process. The Three Lions made a comeback in the game, with the match ending 3-3. It has not been a good season for the world’s most expensive defender.
While Southgate has evidently put his faith in Maguire, Erik ten Hag has dropped the defender to the bench in recent weeks. The 29-year-old has not started a league game since the 4-0 loss to Brentford.
Since then, the Dutch manager has counted on the partnership of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez. And the French and Argentine centre-backs have been solid for the most part this season.
Apart from the Manchester City game, in which we lost 6-3, Man United have been good at the back. Ten Hag has brought stability to the defence since the losses in the first two games.
More Manchester United News
- Lazio slash price-tag of Manchester United target Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to €50 million
- Rangers centre-back Leon King monitored by several clubs including Manchester United
- Manchester United ‘enquired’ about Olympique Lyon star Malo Gusto in the recent transfer window
Varane and Martinez’s form has led to Maguire being relegated to the bench. And the injury has not helped his cause either. Hopefully, the England international returns to his best after his injury.
