As per Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic, Manchester United will be without captain Harry Maguire for today’s match against Wolverhampton Wanderers. The England defender has been in and out of the side with injury this term and he will be absent once again as Bruno Lage’s men visit Old Trafford.
Manchester United Defender Harry Maguire Set to Miss Wolves Clash
Who Will Replace Maguire?
Maguire and Raphael Varane are yet to form an impenetrable partnership at the heart of defence, so this is the chance for others to fight for minutes. Ivorian Eric Bailly was substituted in the last game against Burnley, but he remains first in line to fill the void for Ralf Rangnick.
Another name in the conversation is Phil Jones, the Englishmen on a road to redemption potentially following a number of years in the dark. Bailly will soon be off to the African Cup of Nations alongside the likes of Wilfried Zaha, so that could then be another chance for Jones.
Focussing on today’s game, though, Maguire’s omission comes as a result of an injury picked up since playing 90 minutes against Burnley on December 30. Victor Lindelof would normally be at the front of the queue to come into the XI, but the Sweden international is yet to fully recover from Covid-19.
Man United’s Defensive Form With and Without Maguire
David de Gea has been in resurgent form over the last 12 months or so, which has papered over the cracks that are United’s back four. Shaw’s form has taken a hit since excelling for England in the Euros and the same goes for the injury-stricken Maguire.
Maguire himself has conceded 1.29 goals per 90 whereas, as a side, they’ve conceded 1.44. Due to the price tag, Maguire is regularly criticised, but the statistics show that he makes the Red Devils better consistently.
Will it be Bailly or Jones to partner Varane later today?
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