Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has key Man Utd call to make for Europa League final after Wolves win

Man Utd: Solskjaer delivers devastating Maguire fitness updaye

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With three days left before Manchester United battle Villareal in the Europa League final, many questions remain. A central talking point continues to revolve around who will start in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s defence.

The injury club captain Harry Maguire sustained at the start of May has thrown up plenty of worries ahead of Wednesday’s massive clash in Gdansk.

Since Maguire limped off with an ankle problem in United’s 3-1 win at Aston Villa on May 9, results have suffered.

The triumph at Villa Park was followed by back-to-back home defeats to Leicester City and Liverpool – albeit in the space of three days.

United’s home campaign then ended with a flat 1-1 draw against Fulham in front of returning supporters before Sunday’s 2-1 win at Wolves.

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The Red Devils prevailed at Molineux thanks to first-half goals from Anthony Elanga – his first for the club – and Juan Mata – potentially his last.

In the heart of the defence, Axel Tuanzebe partnered Eric Bailly as part of 10 changes made by Solskjaer with the Europa League final in mind.

Victor Lindelof had the day off along with several first-team regulars, which all but confirms his place in Wednesday’s starting line-up.

That left Tuanzebe and Bailly in what was arguably a final audition for a starting place against Villareal, with Will Fish making his debut off the bench.

If Solskjaer’s Villareal selection was solely based on Sunday’s game, Tuanzebe might be on the verge of an exciting recall.

Against Wolves, the 23-year-old completed 100% of his tackles, maintained an 89% pass accuracy, made seven ball recoveries, seven clearances and two blocks.

Bailly was by no means noticeably inferior as United defended admirably with the rotation in mind.

However, Tuanzebe’s ball-playing ability and calmness on the ball should give him the advantage ahead of a match where the Red Devils will have to keep the ball moving.

Many may continue to refuse to rule Maguire out of the final in Poland, but based on Solskjaer’s pre-match comments, he sounds doubtful to feature.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s win, Solskjaer explained that his hopes of a swift recovery from Maguire aren’t high.

He said: “He’s [Maguire] still walking very gingerly.

“He’s travelling [to Gdansk] of course. I’ll give him until Wednesday afternoon on that one, but I don’t have high hopes.”

Whoever partners Lindelof at Stadion Energa Gdansk, United enter the crunch clash as favourites to lift a second Europa League and the first trophy of Solskjaer’s reign.

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