MANCHESTER UNITED are set to welcome back Harry Maguire to ease their defensive crisis.
Maguire has not played since he sustained a thigh injury in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham on November 8.
The 32-year-old has missed United’s last five games and Ruben Amorim’s side have conceded eight goals during that run.
United have not rushed back Maguire ahead of the start of the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday now that they are without Noussair Mazraoui.
Amorim admitted last week that Maguire “sometimes has an issue” and the club have afforded him more recovery time.
Maguire missed 14 games through injury last season and a calf strain ruled him out of the European Championship 18 months ago.
The club’s approach to fitness issues under Amorim is in stark contrast to predecessor Erik ten Hag, who drew criticism for rushing back players from injury.
Amorim has substituted one centre back for another centre back 20 times this season to manage their workloads.
Only the bottom four Premier League clubs and Bournemouth have shipped more goals than United this season.
Mazraoui, who started at centre back in the draw with West Ham and win at Wolves, missed the 4-4 draw with Bournemouth on Monday night to link up with his Morocco teammates ahead of their AFCON curtain-raiser against Comoros on Sunday.
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Centre half Matthijs de Ligt has been absent for United’s last three matches due to a back problem and Amorim has turned to 19-year-old Ayden Heaven to start in the middle of the back three.
However, Heaven struggled in the stalemate with West Ham – when he was substituted at half-time – and in the thrilling draw with Bournemouth.
Lisandro Martinez is back after a ten-month absence with a knee injury but has not started a game since February 2.
Amorim was forced to name rookie defender Tyler Fredricson – who has not played since being hauled off at half-time of the Grimsby debacle in August – on the bench against Bournemouth.
United head to Aston Villa on Sunday and host Newcastle on Boxing Day before their final match of the calendar year at home to Wolves on December 30.