Harry Maguire expected to miss Europa League final

The United captain suffered an ankle injury at Aston Villa earlier this month

Author: Luke WilsonPublished 21st May 2021

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer expects Manchester United captain Harry Maguire to miss the Europa League final against Villarreal.

An integral part of the set-up since his big-money move from Leicester in 2019, the 28-year-old was forced off in the comeback win at Aston Villa on May 9 after Anwar El Ghazi awkwardly landed on him.

Maguire suffered ankle ligament damage in the incident but Solskjaer had been upbeat about the Red Devils skipper returning to lead the side out in Wednesday's final in Gdansk.

However, Solskjaer's positivity has waned and the United boss expects the England international to miss the shot at glory against Villarreal.

He said:

"He's walking but it's a long way from walking to running so, to be honest, I don't think we'll see him in Gdansk, no.

"But, as I've said so many times, I'm going to give him until Tuesday night, the last training session, and see if he can try to be out there.

"Steadily but surely he's improving but ligaments they take time to heal."

Solskjaer expects the defender to play an important role off the field in Poland if, as expected, he does not make it.

"He's a very important person in the dressing room and a leader.

"Before the fans came in, I think you all heard him from the stands.

"He does still want the team to do well, of course, he's organising even from the stands, which has been easy because it's been so quiet.

"So, he'll come (to Poland), he'll be in the dressing room, he'll make sure everyone's ready for the final.''

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.