Manchester United are poised on facing Manchester City without captain Harry Maguire
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has been ruled out of this weekend’s clash against Manchester City with an injury.
The Man United skipper, who last started a Premier League game under Erik ten Hag against Brentford in August, is poised on missing United’s first Manchester derby this season with an injury he suffered whilst on international break.
Maguire may have started once in the last six games for Manchester United in all competitions, but he was called up to the England squad for the remainder of the UEFA Nations League group stage games.
The former Leicester City defender started at the back as England succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to Italy away from home.
He maintained his starting role against Germany but came short after his poor display played a huge role in the Three Lions’ 3-3 draw against Germany at Wembley.
The 29-year-old defender limped into the dressing room after the draw and many outlets reported that he could be a doubt for the Manchester derby on October 2.
According to Daily Star, Manchester United are increasingly likely to be without their skipper for their upcoming clash against Pep Guardiola’s side.
Although, Maguire hasn’t been an integral part of Erik ten Hag’s squad in recent weeks, his absence from this weekend’s game has thwarted whatever plans he had to fight his way back into the starting lineup.
Irrespective of Maguire’s fitness level, Ten Hag’s was on course to maintain the same centre-back pairing of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez he’s used in the last four Premier League games against Liverpool, Southampton, Leicester City and Arsenal.
England has been relegated to the League B of the UEFA Nations League after a poor run of games in League A.
At club level, Manchester United are 5th in the Premier League with 12 points from six games and six points behind league leaders Arsenal, who have played a game more.
United’s games against Crystal Palace and Leeds United were postponed due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II earlier this month.