Harry Maguire is ready for his return to the Manchester United side this afternoon as he prepares for his first start of 2022.
The United captain looks set to be back in Ralf Rangnick’s starting line-up this afternoon against West Ham, having made his comeback from injury from the bench at Brentford in midweek.
With Eric Bailly away at the Africa Cup of Nations and Victor Lindelof not available for selection following a burglary at his family home, United’s options are limited at the back, as the Hammers visit Old Trafford.
It will be a straight battle between Maguire and Phil Jones to partner Raphael Varane in the heart of the defence.
And the England international has confirmed he’s ready to claim his place back in the side as United face a crucial game in the race for the Premier League’s top four.
"Obviously I had a little setback [with a chest injury] for a couple of weeks and it’s nice to be back on the pitch," Maguire told the club’s website.
"It was my first minutes for two-to-three weeks after a little setback but it’s one that I feel I’ve overcome. I’ve managed to get a good week’s training in and also the 20 minutes I played [on Wednesday night] so I feel like I’m ready now."
Reflecting on his return to action against Brentford, Maguire added: "The most satisfying thing for me was the way the lads stuck together and dug in.
“We obviously didn’t play well in the first half, it was nowhere near the level that we wanted to play at.
“But when you’re coming back out after it was 0-0 at half-time, and you’ve maybe faced their best football, you know as a group of players that you’ve got so much more to give in the second half and to improve on."
Rangnick confirmed Maguire would replace Lindelof. “With Victor now being out, Harry will play from the beginning tomorrow and again be the captain of the team,” he said.
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