Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will give Manchester United captain Harry Maguire every chance to prove his fitness for the Europa League final against Villarreal.
Maguire sat out United’s final four Premier League fixtures of the season after suffering an ankle injury during the 3-1 victory over Aston Villa earlier this month.
United conceded at least once in each of the four matches that Maguire missed and looked particularly vulnerable at the back during a 4-2 defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex is inspiring Utd in Gdansk
During a press conference at Gdansk Stadium on Tuesday, Solskjaer highlighted the subtle role that Sir Alex might play this week and emotionally admitted he owes his entire career to him.
Sir Alex Ferguson travelling with the boys to Gdansk to bring the #UEL back home. pic.twitter.com/Q3TO2yvYmW
— Lazyboy dml (@_Sonofsaint) May 24, 2021
“He flew out with us yesterday,” said Ole. “Some of us, some of the players and some of the staff went to see his documentary, or Jason’s documentary about his dad. I sat there thinking about this man and what he’s done for the club. I’m sure Luke, sitting next to me, felt the same.
“He’s a special man. He’s like an encyclopaedia of football, even though I got him on a quiz question yesterday… and one of the players got the answer before him, so I’m not sure he’s happy with that!
“Just to have him around when we eat in the restaurant, I’m sure the players if they wonder about something, they can ask him. He’s always about for a chat because this is the club of his heart. I hope he is going to enjoy it tomorrow night because I have to say I owe most of my career to him.”
The presence of a legend like Sir Alex is naturally inspiring, yet Shaw admitted the players are already raring to go and will not need any additional motivation on matchday.
On the other hand, Villarreal are trying to win their first ever major trophy in 98-years of history, so there is a lot of the line as we approach the game.
Association Press journalist Simon Peach has arrived safely in Gdansk before taking several pictures to show how the city looks ahead of the final.
Gdańsk getting into the #UEL final mood, with #MUFC & Villarreal images dotted around the city pic.twitter.com/ABZ7urZzNa
— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) May 24, 2021
The sun is shining and restaurants are open for outdoor dining.
