Man United will continue with Maguire on the ups and downs

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said he is determined to stick with captain Harry Maguire against Newcastle this weekend if the defender passes in form.

Maguire has faced criticism for his performances so far this season amid suggestions that the defender is struggling to deal with the fallout from his arrest in Greece over the summer.

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The 27-year-old received an early red card during England’s loss to Denmark on Wednesday, but Solskjaer insists he will start at St James’ Park on Saturday if he passes a fitness test.

“When Harry is part of the England team that beat No. 1 in the Belgium ranking, it’s a normal day, but when you get sent off he makes the headlines, that’s just football for you,” Solskjaer told a news conference on Friday.

“Harry has great resilience. I know he will bounce back. I know he wants to play and get out of the last few games he’s been criticized for.

“He caught a punch just before he left, so I hope he’s in shape.”

Solskjaer accepts that United have ‘got off to a bad start’ this season after two losses in the first three games, including a humiliating 6-1 home loss to Tottenham.

The result prompted reports of a rift between Solskjaer and midfielder Bruno Fernandes, but before the Newcastle game, the United manager said there are no problems within the team.

“We are united and we have to stay together, we cannot listen to everyone outside, we have to move on,” Solskjaer said. “Bruno has lost two league games and arrived in February. They have been two in quick succession and he is not used to losing league games.

“They are going to try to create a division between us, but it is not going to happen. This is a group that wants to work together and stick together.”

Solskjaer has also had to deal with more public flirtations between Paul Pogba and Real Madrid during the international break.

Pogba said it would be a “dream” to play for the Spanish giants, comments that angered fans.

“Paul is our player, he will be here for another two years and I am sure he is focused on doing what is best for us,” Solskjaer said. “We want to see the best for Paul and I am confident that in the coming years we will bring out the best in him.”