Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has been ruled out for the rest of the season with his Euro 2024 future up in the air.
Maguire has suffered a muscle injury in training that will see the defender ruled out for three weeks.
It means he will not take part in any of United’s remaining Premier League matches and could also miss the FA Cup final against Manchester City on May 25.
A post on United’s official website read: “Harry Maguire has sustained a muscle injury that will keep him out for about three weeks.”
England boss Gareth Southgate may also have a problem as Maguire could also miss the European Championship this summer, though with the squads increasing from 23 to 26, the Three Lions coach might still take the risk.
However, in the immediate future, it gives Erik ten Hag another headache ahead of United’s trip to Crystal Palace on Monday night.
The Red Devils have had a myriad of injuries this season, particularly in defence with problems to Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof.
Now with Maguire on the sidelines, Ten Hag is out of options at the back with Jonny Evans still unfit and rookie Willy Kambwala also ruled out.
United have won just once in their last four Premier League matches and have tumbled down the table as a result.
Their race to finish in the top four is long over and they now look set to miss out on a Europa League spot, too, sitting eighth in the table.
Maguire has made 22 appearances in the Premier League this season but will not take part anymore in the league campaign.
United still have crucial fixtures to play, including against Arsenal at Old Trafford next week.
As for England, Southgate counts on Maguire as one of his most important defenders.
Even when the former Leicester star was going through a rough patch for United, Southgate stuck by him.
Whether Maguire can prove his fitness ahead of the Euros remains to be seen, though Southgate might take the risk in a position that England have struggled with.