Man United have two clear options to replace injured Harry Maguire vs Crystal Palace

Manchester United have confirmed that Harry Maguire has sustained a muscular injury in training and will be unavailable for around three weeks.

Maguire, 31, has been one of United’s more consistent performers in recent months and was one of the nominees for the club’s April Player of the Month award.

However, he has been playing through a knock recently due to various absences in the backline, and now he himself has fallen to an injury.

“Harry Maguire has sustained a muscle injury that will keep him out for about three weeks,” the club confirmed.

At the moment, there are no senior centre-backs fit for Erik ten Hag’s side. Casemiro has been playing alongside the England international in recent weeks.

There are expected to be returns, with Jonny Evans being one player who has returned to training, but it seems unlikely that things will be clear for Monday evening.

There are two clear options that Ten Hag can take going into this next game against Crystal Palace.

The safe option

As mentioned, Evans has returned to training but Ten Hag was unsure whether the experienced defender would be fit for the game.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, the United boss said: “Jonny Evans returned today in the team training and, tomorrow, we will see if it is enough before the two days before the game.”

Rushing Evans back would likely be the safer option but the defender could also receive a setback. He came on as a second-half substitute against Chelsea and then came off with an injury.

The youth option

Ten Hag’s other option is to look to the academy and pick one of the well-performing youngsters to partner Casemiro.

Louis Jackson appears the obvious choice, with the 18-year-old having made the bench in United’s last three games. Jack Kingdon has also trained with the first-team.

However, this option does seem more unlikely simply because the young player would be playing alongside another player who isn’t totally comfortable.

Casemiro has had his struggles this season and whilst he’s seemed to slot into the defence well in recent weeks, Palace will certainly pose an offensive threat at their home ground.