There was concern among United supporters when Harry Maguire left the match against West Ham, but there is now some optimism.
Leny Yoro, who came on for him, played well. However, Maguire’s role goes beyond just defending, and the break between matches has helped his recovery.
The hamstring issue that caused Maguire to come off raised some questions. Thankfully, a 12-day gap between games provided him the necessary time to rest.
On Saturday, United returned to training, and seeing Maguire back with the team was encouraging for the coaching staff.
If the team were still competing in the FA Cup, Maguire might not have been ready in time. The extended break seems to have benefited both him and Carrick’s squad.
This season, the goal is to qualify for the Champions League. With fewer matches scheduled compared to other teams, the extra recovery time could be crucial.
Mason Mount to Gain from United’s Break
The two-week pause between games will also benefit Mason Mount, who has missed the last two matches due to a training injury.
With impatience growing among fans, missing another FA Cup opportunity wouldn’t have helped his situation. Thankfully, the extra time off has worked in his favor.
Carrick recently mentioned that Mount was nearing a return, making him likely available for the squad against Everton, possibly coming off the bench, which suits his position.
Even players who are fit can benefit from the break, as fatigue was evident during the draw with West Ham at the London Stadium.
While United may not have preferred this situation, the rest period could prove beneficial for their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League. Though it’s not the method they would have chosen, it might still work in their favor by the end of the season.