HARRY MAGUIRE IS in contention to feature for Manchester United against Norwich City on Saturday despite reports he was facing a significant spell out with a hip injury.
The most expensive defender in the world missed Tuesday’s 3-1 EFL Cup semi-final first-leg defeat to Manchester City.
It was then claimed he was set to be out for an extended period due to torn a hip muscle, seemingly dealing United a massive blow given their dwindling defensive numbers.
But United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has allayed such fears, revealing the England centre-back could start against Norwich in the Premier League clash at Old Trafford.
“He’s got a chance for tomorrow,” Solskjaer confirmed in his pre-match news conference on Friday. “It was a minor thing.
“I don’t know where the reports are coming from — you might’ve mistaken him for Harry Kane. No, he has a chance. We’ll go through training and see how he reacts.
“It’s not a surprise. He’s a warrior and if there’s a minor problem he’ll put himself up to play. That’s what he did against Wolves. At half time he was feeling discomfort but was adamant he’d be fine.
“He was close to playing against City, just not fit enough, but he’s got a chance now.”
There was less encouraging news for Scott McTominay, however, as the Scotland international is not expected to be back in action until the end of February after suffering knee ligament damage.
“Scott’s out for a while,” Solskjaer added. “I don’t think we’ll see him before the winter break [in February]. Hopefully we’ll see him in February.”
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Eric Bailly and Timothy Fosu-Mensah are close to being match fit, though, with both yet to make an appearance this season.
Solskjaer said: “Eric and Tim are playing tonight for the reserves, so that will be positive for them. They’ve been training well for a month now. Hopefully they’ll get through that to be available for us again.”
Excellent news …. So instead of being 2-1 to Norwich it will be 2-1 to Norwich.
@Gary O’Rourke: you don’t happen to know who the first goal scorer in that game will be as well,, would you pal???
@devils avacado: Pereira?
@my name: PMSL!!! Just checked it out on PP mate,,, 419/1. I tend to never do any FG/SC bet less than 50/1,, but even those odds are a bit,,, ahhh to hell with it,,, €2 Mr power if you please…:)
Alex Ferg use to tell porkies about players being injured too. Ole, you’re fooling nobody.
@6CL: in fairness if he was fit he would’ve started vrs City even with one leg he would do a better job than Jones any day.
Pity we don’t have Harry Kane,
Hope he plays. Utd have an opportunity to break into the top 4
@Red wine and chocolate cake: less of the red wine me thinks