Ole Gunnar Solskjaer backs Harry Maguire to ‘bounce back’ from early season troubles for Man United and England… but says his captain may not be fit for Saturday’s trip to Newcastle
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has backed Harry Maguire to recover from his alarming slump in form – if the Manchester United captain is fit to face Newcastle on Saturday.
Solskjaer revealed that Maguire picked up a slight injury before he was sent off for England against Denmark in midweek and will be assessed on Friday.
Maguire’s red card was his latest setback in a difficult start to the season that followed his arrest on holiday in Greece during a brief pre-season break.
Harry Maguire looks dismayed after being shown a red card during England’s loss to Denmark
Little has gone right for Manchester United’s captain during the early part of the season
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has backed Maguire to ‘bounce back’ from his troubles
Solskjaer said at the time that he would monitor the player’s mood and mind-set, but Maguire has been criticised for his performances for United before picking up two yellow cards in the defeat to the Danes at Wembley.
‘Harry has got great resilience, and knows he’ll bounce back,’ said Solskjaer. ‘He wants to play and work his way out of the last couple of games he’s been criticised.
‘He picked up a knock just before he came off (for England). We’ll have a look at him today.
‘In football you’re in the highlights all the time. When Harry beats No.1 ranked Belgium it’s a normal day, and you get the headlines when you get a sending-off. That’s football, the ups and downs, and you have to deal with it.’
Maguire is not the only one under the spotlight given United head to Newcastle looking to react to the 6-1 shellacking at home to Tottenham before the international break.
‘It’s one of those things that you have to get over as soon as you can and move on,’ Solskjaer said.
‘We know any little chance from outside… you want to create a division.
‘I think Bruno (Fernandes) spoke really well the other day about how we are united, we have to stay together. We can’t listen to everyone outside. We’ve got to just get on with it.
‘Bruno’s now lost two league games since he came to the club and he came in February, but it’s been two in quick succession.
‘So, he’s not used to losing league games for us but now, Bruno, welcome to Man United – this is what happens when you lost a couple, they’re going to try to create a division between us.
‘But that’s not going to happen because this group is a group that wants to work hard together, stick together.’
