Manchester United and England defender Harry Maguire has said he expects to be out for a “few weeks” with an injury that caused him to be substituted at half-time at Aston Villa on Sunday.
Centre-back Maguire had to be helped off the pitch during the 0-0 Premier League draw at Villa Park and was later seen wearing a protective boot.
“Frustrated to pick up an injury at the weekend,” the 31-year-old told his Instagram following of more than 5.3 million. “Will be a few weeks on the sideline for me but I’ll come back stronger.”
Harry Maguire has confirmed he will be sidelined for a ‘few weeks’ following an injury he picked up against Aston Villa 🤕 pic.twitter.com/IbADCuujWV
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 8, 2024
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Maguire: England squad axe ‘surprise’
Having missed out on Euro 2024 selection with a calf injury, Maguire was named in interim manager Lee Carsley’s squad for the Three Lions’ September Nations League fixtures, featuring for 85 minutes of their 2-0 away win against the Republic of Ireland.
Carsley left Maguire on the bench for England’s 2-0 home win over Finland three days later and did not call him up for this month’s matches in the competition, facing Greece at Wembley on Thursday and visiting Helsinki on Sunday.
“I did really well in Ireland… there’s no hiding away from that,” Maguire said when he was asked about his omission, via The Mirror.
“So I was a little bit surprised, I must say. I back his decision and he’s told me I’m part of the future, so we’ll see what comes in [the] November [squad announcement].
“I actually at one point thought that Gary and Phil Neville might be fullbacks” 😅
Gary Neville on the news that Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans are starting for Manchester United against Aston Villa. pic.twitter.com/jPHQKcEomw
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 6, 2024
“I had a chat with the manager and he spoke about his reasons. He told me I’m a big part of the future and he just wants to see the other lads playing in this camp.
“He doesn’t want to take me if I’m not going to start either game, which is fair enough. I’ll go away, get some rest. Of course I’m disappointed. I want to play every game for England and it’s something that I’ve done throughout the last seven years of my career.
“I know where he’s coming from and I’ve got to make sure that I perform when I’m on the pitch and give him no option to leave me out.”
A TOWERING HEADER! 💥
Harry Maguire scores a crucial equaliser for 10-man Man United 👏
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/WRkrSZEpT4
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 3, 2024
Maguire United stats 24-25
The most expensive defender in United’s history started their first two league matches of 2024-25 before brief substitute appearances in their subsequent two top-flight fixtures.
Maguire was an unused substitute against Crystal Palace and not in the squad for the 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham on September 29.
He had captained United in their 7-0 Carabao Cup win at home to Barnsley on September 17 and played throughout their 1-1 draw at home to Twente in the Europa League at Old Trafford eight days later.
In an 11-minute substitute appearance at Porto last Thursday, Maguire scored a 91st-minute equaliser to secure a 3-3 draw for United, who had spurned a 2-0 lead and been reduced to 10 players when Bruno Fernandes was sent off in the 81st minute.
