Manchester United have been handed a double injury blow ahead of tonight’s Premier League clash with Liverpool… What’s the latest? The Red...
What’s the latest?
The Red Devils will play their third game of four this week when they host the 2019/20 title winners at Old Trafford in this rearranged encounter and it could prove to be an intriguing affair.
United have all but cemented second place once again but will not want to lose to their arch-rivals, whilst the Reds need a victory to bolster their top-four claims.
Ahead of kick-off, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revealed to MUTV he would be without two key players in skipper Harry Maguire and winger Daniel James.
On Maguire, he said: “He’s obviously had the scans and the good news is there is no fracture. [There is] ligament damage but hopefully we will see him again this season. Hopefully, he’ll be ready for the [Europa League] final.”
And on James, he added: “Dan James is not available. He’s still out for a little while.”
Worrying news
Clinching all three points is imperative for Liverpool this evening and the Manchester giants will want to cause an upset in their rival’s quest to qualify for the Champions League.
Solskjaer certainly showed his intentions on Tuesday night, near enough rotating his entire XI against Leicester City, so we’re expecting a strong line-up here. Whilst their defeat meant that City were crowned champions this season.
However, with games on Tuesday, Sunday and then again on Wednesday, Solskjaer may be a little gutted that he cannot keep rotating in key areas.
In the absence of Maguire, the 48-year-old boss only really has Axel Tuanzebe to come in with Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof likely first-choice options, and United already lack an out-and-out right-winger, so to not have James is another gutting blow.
Of course, the Manchester side have very little to play for in the Premier League but they will also want to build momentum heading into that crucial Europa League final, where Solskjaer could win his first-ever trophy at the club.
He will certainly be sweating on the fitness of these two players heading into that final, with it not certain that either will make it. It would be a gutting blow to not have either available against Villarreal in ten days time.
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