Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire did not train on the eve on Manchester United’s group stage match against Villarreal in what will be our first meeting against the La Liga side since losing the Europa League final in May.
Both players were forced off in the 1-0 Premier League defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday and look set to miss the Villarreal match, and we’re already without Aaron Wan-Bissaka following his red card against Young Boys.
In his pre-match press conference, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said (as per MEN writer Tyrone Marshall: “Luke has been in today so I’ll give him a chance to be involved, he didn’t train with the team. Harry is more or less definitely out, it doesn’t look good. It’s his calf, that might take a few weeks.”
Solskjaer on Shaw and Maguire: "Luke has been in today so I’ll give him a chance to be involved, he didn’t train with the team. Harry is more or less definitely out, it doesn’t look good. It's his calf, that might take a few weeks" #mufc
— Tyrone Marshall (@TyMarshall_MEN) September 28, 2021
The Norwegian added: “We will have to make a few changes.”
That means Diogo Dalot and Alex Telles are likely to start, with Victor Lindelof slotting in alongside Raphael Varane at centre-back.
Solskjaer was also asked about Scott McTominay and Fred starting together in midfield and how it frustrates a number of fans.
“First of all the stats for the two we have had many good results,” the boss told reporters (via Manchester Evening News).
“The way we broke-up play against Villa I think they are very instrumental together. The energy and desire. I really like to have the two of them. I can trust them to give us what they’ve got.”
What can we expect from Villarreal? The same as they’ve try to soak up pressure and take their opportunities on goal, but without three of our back four it’s going to be a challenge.
One with Cristiano Ronaldo every team should find achievable. United need to get back on track in Europe.
