Solskjaer wrestles with Man Utd injury crisis

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is facing a full-blown defensive crisis after Harry Maguire joined the list of the walking wounded as Manchester United desperately search for consistency in a topsy-turvy season.

The England centre-half joins Axel Tuanzebe, Eric Bailly and Marcos Rojo as unavailable central defenders for Saturday's Premier League match against basement club Norwich.

Left-back Luke Shaw is also a doubt, while Solskjaer's decision to allow another international centre-back, Chris Smalling, to move to Roma on a season-long loan now looks seriously flawed.

Solskjaer has taken the precaution of recalling Cameron Borthwick-Jackson from a loan spell with League One side Tranmere.

The manager's problems at the back are compounded by the fact that two of his first-choice midfield players, Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay, are also facing extended spells on the sidelines.

United, who suffered a demoralising 3-1 home defeat to Manchester City in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final on Tuesday, are fifth in the Premier League, five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

But, with a squad stretched to breaking point, they face a challenging spell of fixtures over the next few weeks, including an FA Cup third-round replay against Wolves before a match at Anfield against league leaders Liverpool.

- Norwich test -
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