‘I’m getting better’, but Maguire is a doubt for Saturday
MANCHESTER United defender Harry Maguire has issued an injury update ahead of Saturday’s game against former club Leicester City, writes Mark Whiley.
The England centre-back hasn’t figured for the Red Devils since limping off with a calf problem during the 1-0 home defeat to Aston Villa last month.
The injury also kept Maguire out of the latest round of World Cup qualifiers.
Maguire addressed his fitness as he visited schoolchildren with the Manchester United Foundation.
Asked about the injury, Maguire told the Man United club website: “Yeah it’s getting there. I still haven’t trained yet with the squad, but I am getting better, I am progressing as I should be.
“It is obviously a frustrating injury for me to get, but I am progressing and I will be back on the pitch soon.”
The fact Maguire has not resumed training yet suggests he will not be available to face the club he left in an £80 million transfer in 2019.
With Raphael Varane picking up an injury during the Nations League final between France and Spain, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to be without both of his first-choice central defenders on Saturdays.
That means Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly are likely to be in the heart of United’s defence at the King Power Stadium.
Meanwhile Cristiano Ronaldo warmed up Saturday’s trip to Leicester by continuing his prolific start to the season for club and country.
The Manchester United striker netted the 10th international hat-trick of his career as Portugal thrashed Luxembourg 5-0 in World Cup qualifying. Old Trafford teammate Bruno Fernandes weighed in with a goal and an assist.
Ronaldo’s treble made it 10 goals in eight games for United and Portugal so far this season.
The 36-year-old now has a staggering 115 international goals to his name, having taken the all-time record from Iran’s Ali Daei last month.