Harry Maguire’s hopes of playing for England at Euro 2020 WON’T be a factor in his selection for the Europa League final if match-fit, says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer… with Man Utd captain currently on crutches after damaging ankle ligaments
- Harry Maguire picked up an ankle injury for Manchester Utd against Aston Villa
- It is a race against time to see if Maguire is fit for the Europa League final
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists Maguire’s availability for England isn’t his concern
- Rio Ferdinand spoke of the dilemma as Maguire gets fit for both club and country
Harry Maguire‘s hopes of playing for England at Euro 2020 won’t be a factor in Manchester United’s bid to get their captain fit for the Europa League final, says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Maguire is on crutches after damaging ligaments in his left ankle at Aston Villa on Sunday, and Solskjaer insists United will do all they can to have him available for the clash with Villarreal in Gdansk in two weeks’ time.
There are fears Maguire could be taking a risk if he rushes back too soon, with England set to kick off their Euro 2020 campaign against Croatia in a month’s time.
Harry Maguire is on crutches after damaging ligaments in his left ankle at Aston Villa
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says England is not his concern and the issue won’t affect Utd’s thinking
But Solskjaer says that England is not his concern and the issue won’t affect United’s thinking as they prepare for Villarreal.
‘You always try to look after players long-term,’ said the Norwegian. ‘If he’s fit he’ll play for us, if he’s not he won’t.
‘We’re hopeful he’s ready and if he’s ready for us he’ll be ready for the Euros. Norway’s not in the Euros, I’m not really that concerned.
‘The good news is it wasn’t broken. There was no fracture, but a ligament injury is serious. If I’m very positive that is maybe stretching it, I’m hopeful he might be ready for it.
‘I don’t think he’ll play in the league again, but we’ll do everything we can to get him ready for the final.’
Former United and England centre back Rio Ferdinand emphasised the dilemma facing Maguire as he tries to get fit for club and country.
Maguire was a star performer in England’s run to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup
‘His heart will have been in his mouth thinking “am I going to be ready?”. The first big European final he’s going to be involved in,’ said Ferdinand.
‘It didn’t look nice at the time. I’ve had ankle ligament problems before and you can’t mess about with them. You’re either fit or you’re not, there’s no real in between.
‘The conundrum he’s got is that if he does play and forces his way into this game, which you would expect from your captain, he’s risking himself for the Euros. It’s a massive call.’
