Manchester United handed injury blow as Harry Maguire set to be out for ‘a few weeks’
Maguire was hurt in the first half of United's 0-0 draw at Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday
Harry Maguire has confirmed that he will be out of action for several weeks after hobbling off at halftime during Manchester United’s goalless draw against Aston Villa.
Recalled to the starting XI by under-pressure head coach Erik ten Hag, Maguire sustained a lower leg injury while defending a set piece and was forced to leave the game at the interval.
He was later spotted leaving Villa Park wearing a protective boot.
It is still uncertain if Ten Hag will remain in charge by the time Maguire returns, as speculation around the manager’s future continues.
Maguire, who was also left out of England’s squad for this week’s Nations League fixtures against Greece and Finland by interim head coach Lee Carsley, shared a brief statement on social media, confirming he expects to miss several upcoming matches.
“Frustrated to pick up an injury at the weekend, will be a few weeks on the sideline for me but I’ll come back stronger,” he wrote on Instagram.
As we enter the second international break of the season, Manchester United find themselves in a precarious position, having secured only eight points from their first seven league games.
Alarmingly, only newly promoted Southampton has managed to score fewer goals.
On Tuesday, United’s board will convene in London, with discussions expected to revolve around manager Erik ten Hag’s future.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe led the club’s leadership into his Knightsbridge offices for a meeting that had been scheduled prior to the recent uncertainty surrounding Ten Hag’s position.
Despite signing a contract extension this summer after winning the FA Cup, Ten Hag’s team has struggled to deliver results.
As a result, several names have emerged as potential successors even before a decision is finalised.
Following the lacklustre draw against Aston Villa, the under-pressure Dutchman said: “We are all on board together, on one page, we know what we are working through.
“It’s a long-term process.
“It’s external noise. Internally we’re disappointed and we know we have to do better.
“Especially we need to score more.
“But I don’t have any idea it is different, because they would tell me.
“We communicate and are very transparent.”
Manchester United are set to return to action with a home game against Brentford on October 19.
This will be followed by a Europa League trip to face Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce.
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