Solksjaer rules out Harry Maguire ahead of Europa League final

Harry Maguire is set to miss the Europa League final as Solksjaer admits defeat in the race to get the England captain ready ahead of next Wednesday. (Photo credit: ESPN)

Look away Manchester United fans, Harry Maguire will not be fit in time for the finals of the Europa League against Villareal according to United manager Ole Gunnar Solksjaer.

Although the former Leicester City defender was pictured without crutches or protective boots for the first time since limping off in the 3-1 win over Aston Villa on the 9^th of May but Solksjaer at his Friday press conference has quashed the hopes of having Maguire at the final saying he won’t be fit.

Manchester United travel to Wolves on Sunday to end the Premier League season and then to Gdansk next Wednesday to negotiate Unai Emery’s Villareal; a game that would be the first final of Solksjaer’s tenure at Old Trafford.

United will also be without Anthony Martial for the cup final but Solksjaer is confident that the midfield duo of Fred and Scott McTominay will be available for selection.

"He's walking but it's a long way from walking to running," Solskjaer told a news conference of Maguire on Friday. "To be honest, I don't think we'll see him in Gdansk but I'm going to give him until Tuesday night and the last training session to be out there.

"He's improving but ligaments take time to heal. Anthony is not going be available; Scott and Fred should be OK."

Ole Gunnar Solksjaer is hopeful that United will compete for the title next season, he admitted that the team needs to strengthen but a number of players could also depart, one of them is Juan Mata but the Norwegian said there won’t be talks until after the final