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Premier League | Gameweek 22
Jan 11, 2020 at 3pm UK
 
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4-0

Rashford (27', 52' pen.), Martial (54'), Greenwood (76')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hails "warrior" Harry Maguire after speedy recovery

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hails
© Reuters
Harry Maguire suffered a hip injury during last weekend's FA Cup draw with Wolves.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer labelled Harry Maguire a “warrior” as he revealed the England man could make a surprise return for Manchester United in their Premier League clash with Norwich on Saturday.

The defender suffered a hip injury in last weekend’s FA Cup draw with Wolves and there had been reports he could be sidelined for several weeks, but United boss Solskjaer insisted the problem is not serious.

The Norwegian said: “He’s got a chance for tomorrow. It’s a minor thing. I don’t know where the reports are coming from. You might have mistaken him for Harry Kane. He’s going to go through training today and see how he reacts for tomorrow.

“It’s not a surprise because he’s a warrior and he wants to play. If there’s a minor problem, he’ll put himself up to play. That’s what he did against Wolverhampton.

“At half-time he was feeling some discomfort but he was adamant he was going to be fine. He was close to play against City, just not fit enough.”

Solskjaer addressed speculation linking Ashley Young with a move to Inter Milan and hinted the United captain will be staying at Old Trafford.

“He’s one of our players, he’s our captain,” said Solskjaer. “There’s been lots of speculation and we’ve just got to handle that. Ashley’s been very professional and focused and I don’t think that’s going to change.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, left, wants to keep Ashley Young at Old Trafford
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, left, wants to keep Ashley Young at Old Trafford (Martin Rickett/PA)

Young, who is out of contract in the summer, has had limited playing time this season, and Solskjaer added: “That’s a discussion me and Ash will have if something comes up. We haven’t got too many players fit and ready so we need the ones we have.

“Ashley’s been very, very good for this club and he’s been a very good captain this season. Let’s see where we are in June and in February as well.”

Asked about reports linking United with Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes, the United boss said: “We do go and watch games all the time but, where I’ve been and when I’ve been somewhere, it’s irrelevant. That’s another player that’s in a different club and I can’t speak about.”

Solskjaer expects to see a reaction on Saturday following the disappointment of Tuesday’s 3-1 defeat by Manchester City at Old Trafford in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Manchester United were well beaten at home
Manchester United were well beaten at home (Martin Rickett/PA)

“Of course you’re disappointed when you lose a game against your local rivals,” he said.

“But which way is there to go? Do you feel sorry for yourself or do you knuckle down and get ready for the next one?

“One of the worst traits a footballer can have is feeling sorry for himself. The boys have been focused. It’s been a disappointing feeling because we know that wasn’t the game we wanted but that’s football and I’m sure we’ll get a reaction tomorrow.”

It has been another hugely disappointing week for United, with the cup games preceded by a Premier League loss to Arsenal, but Solskjaer will not deploy a siege mentality.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have had a difficult start to 2020
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have had a difficult start to 2020 (Mike Egerton/PA)

“It’s not against the world, it’s us against Norwich,” he said. “That’s the focus. We’ve just got to go game to game and improve and get results in the league.”

Solskjaer will also be without Jesse Lingard through illness, while he revealed midfielder Scott McTominay’s knee injury is likely to keep him out until next month.

Eric Bailly and Timothy Fosu-Mensah were both due to play for the under-23s on Friday as they step up their comebacks from long-term knee problems.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City97202091123
2Liverpool97111751222
3Arsenal95311710718
4Aston Villa95311611518
5Chelsea95221911817
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton94411612416
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest9441117416
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs94141810813
9Brentford94141818013
10Fulham93331212012
11Bournemouth93331111012
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle9333910-112
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham93241316-311
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd9324811-311
15Leicester CityLeicester92341317-49
16Everton92341016-69
17Crystal Palace9135611-56
18Ipswich TownIpswich9045920-114
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves90271225-132
20Southampton9018619-131


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