Why Maguire is on the bench for Manchester United as Shaw starts at centre back

  /  autty

Harry Maguire has had only one training session for Manchester United since he returned from the World Cup in Qatar.

Maguire has been named as a substitute for the Premier League visit of Nottingham Forest, having missed the League Cup win over Burnley six days ago through illness.

The 29-year-old is believed to have contracted a virus while away with England but Maguire made himself to be available on the bench for United's first Premier League game in 44 days.

Raphael Varane returns for United but Ten Hag is still Lisandro Martinez after the World Cup final.

Varane started for France and played 113 minutes while Argentina defender Martinez was an unused substitute but travelled to Buenos Aires with the rest of the squad to savour the celebrations for their third World Cup triumph.

Casemiro started at centre half against Burnley and Luke Shaw volunteered to start at centre-back, having played there a number of times in a back three. Scott McTominay has often played in a defensive trident for Scotland and has lined up there for United but Shaw is starting against Forest.

Maguire has been unable to shake off the virus and a source said the United captain "really should be in bed" but Maguire offered to provide cover.

The Β£80million defender has started once in the Premier League since United's 4-0 thrashing at Brentford on August 13.

Related: Manchester United Varane Maguire Luke Shaw
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