HARRY MAGUIRE is a doubt for Manchester United’s trip to Newcastle but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists it is nothing to do with his poor form.
Maguire’s awful start to the season reached a low point with a red card for England in their midweek defeat to Denmark.
Maguire is set to miss Man Utd’s game against Newcastle with an injuryCredit: PA:Empics Sport
It lead to calls, not least from Rio Ferdinand, for the United captain to be given some time off.
But Solskjaer insists the player does not want that and any exclusion from the team at St James’ Park will be down to a knock he picked up just before his red card.
Solskjaer said: “When Harry beats No1 ranked Belgium it’s a normal day, and you get the headlines when you get a sending off, that’s football, ups and downs, and you have to deal with it.
“Harry has got great resilience, he knows he’ll bounce back and he wants to play and work his way out of the last couple of games when he’s been criticised.
“He picked up a knock just before he came off. We’ll have a look at him.”
Toon boss Steve Bruce told Maguire, 27, to ‘batten down the hatches’ during the stormiest spell of his career so far.
He said: “The one thing about playing for Man Utd and being captain is you are under the spotlight.
“He is a level-headed lad, he’s had a wonderful rise, and he is mature enough to handle it.
Solskjaer said his skipper picked up the knock on England duty – where he was sent off just 31 minutes into the loss against DenmarkCredit: Reuters
Maguire is given his marching duties against Denmark after just 31 minutesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
“It is his first blip and the sending off for England could happen to anyone.
“With Harry, he has borne the brunt. He has to batten down the hatches like we all do when under the pump. He will be fine. He has the ability.”
Solskjaer also dismissed Paul Pogba’s recent flirtation with Real Madrid – who he said it would be a dream to play for – insisting he will be held to the remaining two years on his contract.
He said: “Paul’s our player, he’s going to be here for another two years and I’m sure he’s focused on doing his best for us.
“We want to see the best from Paul and I’m sure in the next couple of years we’ll get the best out of him.”
Solskjaer is obviously looking for a response from his team after the 6-1 home defeat to Spurs last time out.
He said: “We need a response as we always do after we lose a game. You want to win the next one. We want to try and dominate the game.
“The result is very important, but we want to see positive body language and mindset.
“You don’t get anywhere being negative. We want to go out there go for the win and see players who want to work for the points.”
Gareth Southgate reacts to Harry Maguire and Reece James red cards
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
