Maguire blasts schedule that sees Man United play three times in five days as he goes for record

Harry Maguire blasts ‘ridiculous’ schedule that sees Man United play three times in five days… as England defender fears missing out on record of 72 straight Premier League matches without missing a MINUTE

  • Harry Maguire has played every minute for Manchester United since joining 
  • That run could come to an end this week with three games in five days
  • The Manchester United captain has blasted the schedule his team has this week
  • Maguire could break the record if he lasts the full duration against Aston Villa  

Harry Maguire has hit out at Manchester United‘s ‘ridiculous’ schedule which sees them play three times in five days.

The Red Devils travel to Villa Park on Sunday afternoon, before home games with Leicester on Tuesday and rivals Liverpool on Thursday.

Since joining United in the summer of 2019 for £80m, the England international has not missed a single league minute for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer‘s side.

Harry Maguire is hoping to break a Premier League record against Aston Villa on Sunday

Maguire has played every minute for the Red Devils since joining from Leicester in 2019

Maguire has played every minute for the Red Devils since joining from Leicester in 2019

Maguire is concerned that United’s busy schedule could force him to sit out at least one game this week.

He told Manchester United’s official website: ‘It’s going to be very tough. I don’t think it’s ever been done in Premier League history. I don’t know why it’s been done.

‘Three games in five days is just ridiculous. It’s tough when you have two games in three days over the Christmas period, as happens sometimes. 

‘You have to play, then rest, then play again. That’s tough, but to have three in five, I don’t know where that’s come from; I don’t know why they’ve decided on that. 

‘We have to deal with it; we’ll probably rotate and we have to make sure that we’re fresh in our minds to go and win football matches and that’s what we aim to do.’

‘It’s a proud record of mine and to be dealt that from our fixtures and our schedule is a tough one to take if it does come to that, that I do need a rest in one of the games,’ the England international continued. 

‘To be available for selection, and the manager to show the faith in me to play me in every Premier League game since I’ve signed, is a proud achievement. But for sure, it’s going to be tough to play three games in five days.’

Should Maguire complete the full game against Aston Villa, it would mark 72 consecutive Premier League matches without missing a minute – breaking former United defender Gary Pallister’s record of 71.  

Manchester United face a difficult week with three games in a five day period

Manchester United face a difficult week with three games in a five day period

Even if Maguire does break the record, the centre-back will be disappointed for his run of consecutive games to end this week.  

Manchester United are also aiming to maintain an unbeaten record away from home in the league for a complete season.

Should they avoid defeat at Villa Park, they will only have to go without defeat against Wolves to achieve a record which has only been done twice before in Premier League history.

Maguire said: ‘It’s important that we go in the Premier League and try and maintain that record because it’s a proud record to have. Our home form has picked up a little bit of late so that’s important too.’