Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag confirmed he won’t just simply give minutes to an England international ahead of the World Cup for the sake of it, while a Tottenham star is expected to make a full recovery in time for Qatar.
However, it’s not exactly good news for Wales as a talismanic forward faces a battle to be fit in time for the tournament.
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‘HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT’: UTD BOSS MAKES NO MAGUIRE GAME TIME GUARANTEE
Erik ten Hag will not guarantee Harry Maguire extended playing time before the World Cup as the Manchester United defender tries to cement his place in England’s starting line-up.
Maguire looks sure to make England’s World Cup squad, but his lack of recent appearances for United makes it less certain he will start for Gareth Southgate’s team in Qatar.
The centre-back, a cornerstone of England’s run to the Euro 2020 final, has been out of favour at United for much of the season after his dismal form saw Ten Hag replace him with Raphael Varane.
Varane’s recent injury against Chelsea allowed Maguire to regain his place for United’s Premier League win against West Ham last weekend.
But Ten Hag picked Victor Lindelof for the Europa League victory away to Real Sociedad on Thursday.
Speaking ahead of United’s trip to Aston Villa on Sunday, Ten Hag refused to promise Maguire would get a run in the team before the World Cup.
“I have to think about it. I have to see Aston Villa, and it’s going to be difficult because we don’t know, it’s a new manager. So I have to have a look and analyse that team and then we have a choice,” Ten Hag told reporters on Friday.
“But, I just said, Licha (Martinez) and Victor, they played really well together over some more games but I think also Licha and Harry on Sunday against West Ham United: also a clean sheet and they also did really well.
“It’s a choice I make. When I choose one there is nothing against the other.”
WELSH ACE RUNNING OUT OF TIME AFTER PHYSICAL ‘HICCUPS’
As South Korea takes a collective sigh of relief with the news about Heung-Min Son’s surgery, Welsh fans cannot do the same as fears remain surrounding the fitness levels of star forward Gareth Bale.
Bale, who has made over 100 appearances for his nation and has 40 goals to boot, moved to MLS outfit Los Angeles FC in the off-season on a two-year deal.
But since moving Stateside, Bale has struggled for minutes due to a leg injury and made just two starts in the regular season.
The 33-year-old has not played in any of LAFC’s play-off games either.
LAFC general manager John Thorrington admits that although Bale has had some “hiccups physically”, he has still had a vital role to play behind the scenes.
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“Gareth brings things to the group that not everybody sees,” Thorrington told The Times.
“I know he wants to be out there helping his team and he still does in ways and has at certain times.
“But I feel for him and am disappointed because I would love for him to be a part of everything on a more regular basis.
“The reality, though, is he has had some hiccups physically that have precluded him from playing a bigger role.”
Although LAFC has one game left this season — the MLS Final against the Philadelphia Union on Sunday — Bale’s involvement is no certainty.
Time will tell as to whether Bale will be fit and firing for Wales’ first World Cup appearance in 64 years, but without the former Real Madrid flyer, the nation’s hopes take an almighty hit.
‘OUTLOOK IS POSITIVE’ FOR SPURS STAR AFTER SURGERY TO REPAIR EYE SOCKET FRACTURES
South Korea fans can breathe a little easier as skipper Heung-Min Son reportedly underwent successful surgery to fix four separate eye socket fractures.
Son sustained the injuries in Tottenham’s final Champions League group stage fixture against Marseille and sparked immediate fears he would miss the tournament when he went off clutching his face.
But according to The Telegraph, “the procedure went as well as could be hoped and the outlook is positive” as South Korea look to upset the apple cart and make it into the knockout stages.
The Asian nation’s hopes largely rest on Son’s shoulders, which is why his availability is key.
South Korea’s first fixture in Qatar is against Uruguay on November 25 (AEDT).
