Harry Maguire, the Manchester United defender, will not be able to play for the rest of the Premier League season and is uncertain for the FA Cup final.
Manchester United’s hopes of a strong finish to their season have been dealt a blow as defender Harry Maguire faces a race against time to be fit for the FA Cup final. The England international centre-back suffered a muscle injury during training ahead of their clash with Crystal Palace on May 25, which is set to be against Manchester City.
Maguire’s injury also raises concerns for England’s upcoming Euro 2024 campaign. Their first game is scheduled against Serbia on June 16, with two friendlies against Bosnia and Iceland before then. It remains to be seen whether Maguire will recover in time to feature in these crucial matches.
This news comes as another setback for Manchester United, who have struggled with defensive injuries throughout the season. Currently, Willy Kambwala, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, and Lisandro Martinez are all sidelined, while Jonny Evans has only recently returned to training.
In the absence of their key defenders, Brazilian midfielder Casemiro has been deployed in the centre-back position for the team’s recent matches. However, this makeshift solution may not be enough to secure a strong finish for United.
The timing of Maguire’s injury is particularly unfortunate for Manchester United, as they aim to secure UEFA Europa League football without having to face Manchester City at Wembley. Currently sitting in eighth place, their chances of qualifying for both the Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League next season are in jeopardy, especially after Newcastle’s victory over Burnley and Chelsea’s dominant win against West Ham.
As the FA Cup final approaches, all eyes will be on Maguire’s recovery and whether he can make a timely return to bolster Manchester United’s defense. The team will be hoping for a positive outcome, both for their domestic aspirations and England’s Euro 2024 campaign.