Harry Maguire has been included in theManchester Unitedprovisional squad for their Premier Leaguefixtureat home to Norwich City.
Maguiremissed the midweek League Cup semi -final first leg defeat to Manchester City with a hip injury and it was feared the £ million defender could be sidelined for the rest of the month.
However, Maguire arrived at The Lowry Hotel with the rest of the United squad on Friday night and is in contention to return to the starting XI. The 34 – year-old has started in all (of the United’s) ************ (Premier League) matches so far this term.
Ashley Young was absent again amid his desire to join Inter Milan before deadline day in three weeks’ time. Either Maguire or Marcus Rashford will captain United against Norwich and Brandon Williams could continue at left-back.
“It’s not a surprise [Maguire’s nearly back]. He’s a warrior and he wants to play, “United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Friday morning. And if there’s a minor problem he’ll put himself up to play and that’s what he did against Wolverhampton.
“At half-time, he was feeling some discomfort, but was adamant he was going to be fine. He was close to playing against City, just not fit enough, but got a chance now. “
Scott McTominay is expected to return after United’s two-week winter break which starts on February 1. Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Eric Bailly made their comebacks from long-term knee injuries for the Under – s against Newcastle United at Leigh Sports Village.
“Scott’s out for a while,” Solskjaer reiterated. “Eric and Tim are playing tonight in reserves, hopefully they’ll get through that to be available for us again.
” We won’t see [McTominay] before the winter break, hopefully in February. “After the visit of Wolves on February 1, United do not play again until they travel to Chelsea on February (**************************************************************.
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Young has agreed terms to join Inter Milan and wants to join the Italian club this month but could have to wait until his United contract expires in the summer. Young rejected United’s offer of a new one-year deal.
Inter coach Antonio Conte bizarrely tried to sign Young, , when he was Chelsea coach in 01575879 But a deadline day move collapsed and Young went onto start Premier League games in
Solskjaer is keen to maintain United’s squad size amid their recent injury issues, since United were without Maguire (knock), Scott McTominay (knee), Paul Pogba ( ankle) Bailly, Fosu-Mensah (both knee) and Marcos Rojo against Manchester City in midweek.
************ “He’s one of our players,” Solskjaer reiterated. “He’s our captain. There’s loads of speculation and we’ve just got to handle it – we’re getting used to that in club – and Ashley’s been very professional and focused, so I don’t think that’s going to change. “That (Young’s future) ‘sa discussion that me and Ash will have if something comes up, we haven’t got too many players fit and ready, so we need the ones we have. “Ashley’s been very, very good for this club, he’s been a very good captain this season, so let’s see where we are in June and see where we are in February as well. “ United are winless in three and have scored just one during that run , which included the chastening 3-1 League Cup semi-final first leg surrender to City on Tuesday. The club has been pilloried by supporters and the media throughout the week but Solskjaer insists he is not about to adopt a siege mentality tactic. ******** (******************** “It’s not us against the world,” Solskjaer said. “It’s against Norwich now, so that’s the focus. We’ve got to go game-to-game, improve and get results in the league. “We’ve had Carabao Cup games, we’ve had FA Cup games, and they will be coming up as well, different competitions. So now we’re ready and focused to play Norwich. “ Solskjaer was asked whether he had flown to Portugal to watch Sporting Lisbon forward Bruno Fernandes, who was incessantly linked with United in the summer. Speculation surrounding Fernandes has restarted this month after United sources said in the summer they were ‘irritated’ with reports they were pursuing the Portugal international. Manchester United squad vs Norwich: “We go back to speculations and we do go and watch games all the time,” Solskjaer said. “When I’ve been and where I’ve been is irrelevant. [Fernandes] is another player in a different club I can’t speak about. “We’ve still got the same thoughts we had a month ago. We’ve got the players we have, we’re working with the ones we have and if something happens we’ll tell you. “Can’t say yes or no [if players will leave], but I wouldn’t expect many ins and outs, no.” Confirmed United squad members David de Gea, Lee Grant, Diogo Dalot, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Brandon Williams, Andreas Pereira, Fred, Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata, Tahith Chong, Angel Gomes, Daniel James, Anthony Martial, Mason Greenwood , Marcus Rashford. Phil Jones and Sergio Romero were not spotted by photographers but are likely to be included.
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