Maguire reveals all about his recovery from injury
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire is desperately working hard to overcome the injury that curtailed his domestic season, with the hope of representing England at Euro 2020.
The dominant centre-back picked up an ankle problem during our Premier League win over Aston Villa in early May and missed our remaining five matches of the season, including the Europa League final against Villarreal – when he was an unused substitute, effectively in case of an emergency.
Maguire is currently focused on his ongoing rehabilitation and on Tuesday afternoon was named in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man England squad for this summer’s European Championship, although the Three Lions boss himself admitted that Harry still has some work to do yet.
Proud 🙌🏴🦁 pic.twitter.com/m34UbppkyW
— Harry Maguire (@HarryMaguire93) June 2, 2021
“The fear that I had was missing everything,” says Harry, looking back to when the injury occurred at Villa Park. “I knew it was quite a bad injury. When I got the results of the scan, I knew it would be unlikely I would make the Europa League final - but we also never ruled it out.
“I would jump out of bed and put weight on my ankle, which I probably should not have done, and test it to see if the pain was still there. Every morning I woke up wishing the pain would be gone. Unfortunately, it was not to be.
“I knew for me to start the Europa League final was very unlikely but I hoped to play some part. However, it was out of reach and just not possible. Ahead of the final, I could still not run on the ankle. But it is now improving and getting better, so I am just looking forward to the Euros.”
Maguire had not missed a single second of Premier League action for United until he suffered his injury in the Midlands last month and he plans to move on as quickly as physically possible.
“I generally try to play through injuries,” Harry explains. “I know it was not the impact of the challenge at Villa that caused it. It was more of a twist, so when I did that, I knew it would be some sort of ligament damage. And obviously it was really bad timing for myself.
“To play so many games on the spin and not get many injuries, but to then miss the Europa League final and the end of the season for Manchester United, was disappointing for the club and myself.
Last Euros as a fan. This Euros as a player. Huge honour - can’t wait to get started 🏴 pic.twitter.com/fv2XNermU0
— Harry Maguire (@HarryMaguire93) June 1, 2021
“I have not picked up many knocks. You have freak tackles, people falling on you, you twist things, but I have avoided muscle injuries. But I am looking forward to getting back as soon as possible.”
England are currently preparing for two friendly matches, against Austria tonight and Romania on Sunday.
The Three Lions’ Euro 2020 group games are then against Croatia (Sunday 13 June), Scotland (Friday 18 June) and Czech Republic (Tuesday 22 June).