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Ole Gunnar Solskjær has indicated that Harry Maguire could miss Manchester United’s game in Newcastle on Saturday, saying the defender, who is struggling to get fit and was sent off with England, had “taken a hit”.
Maguire was part of a United defense defeated 6-1 by Tottenham in the final league game before the international break, a loss that compounded the opening day loss to Crystal Palace. The 27-year-old received a red card in England’s 1-0 loss to Denmark at Wembley, receiving a second yellow card in the 31st minute.
It’s rare for Solskjær to volunteer information on any player injury, but he said Maguire suffered an unspecified problem with England. There have been suggestions that it would be in the interest of Maguire and United to have the player removed from the firing line. Solskjær defended his captain.
“When Harry [helps] beat number 1 in the ranking Belgium is a normal day [yet] you get the headlines when you get kicked out, ”said the manager. “That’s football: ups and downs, you have to deal with that.
“Harry has great resilience, he knows he will recover, he wants to play and work his way [away from] the last games he’s been criticized for. [But] knocked on the door just before arriving [was sent] off. We’ll see it today. “
Solskjær declined a question about Paul Pogba’s latest expression of admiration for Real Madrid in which the midfielder said it was his “dream” to play for the club.
“Paul is our player, he will be here for another two years and for sure he is focused on doing the best for us. We want to see the best for Paul and I am sure that in the coming years we will bring out the best in him. “
Solskjær came under scrutiny for his decision to retire Bruno Fernandes at halftime against Spurs. There were suggestions that the playmaker was not happy with this, but the coach said: “Bruno has lost two league games and came here in February. [But] there have been two in quick succession. He’s not used to losing league games, but welcome to Manchester United, this is what happens. [Elements are] we 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.
“We know that we have started the season badly and that the Spurs game ended very badly … We know that we have to perform better, but now we have had two weeks to think about it, to work on it.”
United, along with Liverpool, were the promoters of the doomed Project Big Picture idea that would have supported the EFL and cemented power with the biggest clubs.
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Solskjær said: “It is clear that we, as one of the biggest clubs, have a responsibility to protect the football pyramid and the smaller clubs. Lately we have seen the effect this pandemic has had. The key is that we want the fans to go back to the stadiums, which will help other clubs, so I’m glad the talks have started. “
None of Facundo Pellistri, Edinson Cavani or Alex Telles, signed on the transfer deadline, is available to face Newcastle.
