United captain Maguire set to miss Europa League final

Posted May 21, 2021 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Manchester United's Harry Maguire, right, walks on the stands during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Leicester City, at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, May 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson,Â Pool) The Associated Press

MANCHESTER, England (AP) - Manchester United captain Harry Maguire is set to miss the Europa League final against Villarreal on Wednesday.

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer downplayed expectations about Maguire returning from an ankle injury in time to play in Gdansk, Poland.

'œHe's walking but it's a long way from walking to running," Solskjaer said Friday. "So, to be honest, I don't think we'll see him in Gdansk, no.'ť

The England center back damaged ligaments in his ankle in a Premier League match at Aston Villa on May 9 when Villa winger Anwar El Ghazi landed on him.

England's first game of the European Championship is against Croatia on June 13, and Solskjaer's latest update suggested Maguire wasn't too far away from returning.

'œAs I've said so many times, I'm going to give him until Tuesday night, the last training session, and see if he can try to be out there," Solskjaer said.

'œSteadily but surely he's improving, but ligaments - they take time to heal.'ť

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Manchester United's Harry Maguire, top left, looks out from the stands during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Leicester City, at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, May 11, 2021. (Peter Powell/Pool via AP) The Associated Press

Manchester United's Harry Maguire, front, duels for the ball with Aston Villa's Anwar El Ghazi during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Manchester United at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, Sunday, May 9, 2021. (Nick Potts/Pool via AP) The Associated Press

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