Manchester United handed huge boost ahead of Community Shield tie against Manchester City
Manchester United have handed massive injury boost
Manchester United have named Harry Maguire in their 21-man squad for the Community Shield despite concerns about his fitness.
Maguire has been dealing with an injury and missed last week’s pre-season defeat to Liverpool.
With several defensive options unavailable, Erik ten Hag has included only three central defenders in his squad, including Maguire.
Sweden international Victor Lindelof is among those missing.
Lisandro Martinez and Jonny Evans are the other two centre-backs available to Ten Hag.
The manager had been uncertain whether Maguire would be fit for the Wembley trip and wanted to assess him in training before making a final decision.
The Dutchman said: “ Harry Maguire missed the game (last week) as a precaution, he is a question mark for Saturday.
“So we have training and we will have to see whether he is fit enough or not to be available.
“Victor played, but he is also a question mark and so is Azza [Aaron Wan-Bissaka].
“Luke Shaw too. We have to see about [them] tomorrow.”
The FA Cup winners face limited options at full-back as they aim to secure the Community Shield for the first time since 2016.
Diogo Dalot is a potential choice, and teenager Harry Amass could also be in line for a chance.
However, Ten Hag is well-stocked in attacking positions.
New signing Joshua Zirkzee may make his debut at Wembley, especially with Rasmus Højlund sidelined due to injury.
Marcus Rashford needs to regain his best form and could be included, while Jadon Sancho, after his public fallout with Ten Hag, is back in the first-team fold.
The United boss mentioned that Sancho might play a central role in the absence of a traditional No. 9.
Ten Hag said ahead of their clash with Manchester City: “We need on Saturday, we need a very good game plan of course because we are playing against a very good team.
“They have a lot of skills and we have to be ready for that game.
“So that’s a big challenge because for the first time we are all coming together this season and then you have a couple of days to be ready as a team to face a very good opponent.
“But we are looking forward [to it], everyone is very excited about this game and going to Wembley always gives us good vibes, it gives us good memories that will absolutely motivate the players.”
Manchester United’s 21-man squad via The Mirror: Onana, Bayindir, Heaton; Dalot, Maguire, Evans, Martinez, Amass; Casemiro, Mount, Collyer, McTominay, Mainoo, Fernandes; Rashford, Amad, Antony, Garnacho, Sancho, Pellistri, Zirkzee
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