Utd’s Maguire in race to be fit for FA Cup final

Harry Maguire has been ruled out for the remainder of Manchester United‘s Premier League campaign because of injury.

The defender picked up a muscle problem in training and will miss United’s last four league fixtures against Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Newcastle United and Brighton.

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A source has told ESPN that Maguire believes he can makehimself available for the FA Cup final against Manchester City on May 25. He is also hopeful of being fully fit for England‘s campaign at this summer’s European Championship which begins against Serbia on June 16.

Maguire’s injury is another blow for manager Erik ten Hag, who is already without Lisandro Martínez, Victor Lindelöf, Raphaël Varane and Willy Kambwala.

Jonny Evans has missed nearly two months through injury but returned to training ahead of the trip to Crystal Palace on Monday.

With so many central defenders absent, Ten Hag has used midfielder Casemiro at centre-back in the last three games.

United already know they have missed out on a place in next season’s Champions League because they cannot finish higher than fifth in the Premier League.

However, Ten Hag’s team are still desperate for points to ensure they qualify for Europe.

Newcastle’s 4-1 win over Burnley on Saturday and Chelsea‘s 5-0 win over West Ham on Sunday have left United eighth in the table, which would not be enough to qualify for either the Europa League or the Europa Conference League.

United would still qualify for the Europa League if they win the FA Cup.