HARRY MAGUIRE left Villa Park in a plastic boot after being helped off the pitch by a club doctor.

The England defender was removed at half-time after he was handed a Manchester United start for Sunday’s all-important Premier League clash, which ended 0-0

Harry Maguire was helped to the sidelines before half-time of Ten Hag’s crunch match

His knee looked to have locked before his sock was ripped

Maguire was later subbed off injured during the break

He was helped by a team doctor before the whistle blew

Maguire’s knee looked to have locked during a Villa set piece on the brink of half-time.

The back of his sock was completely ripped, with a huge hole showing his full calf as keeper Andre Onana assisted him to the sidelines.

Maguire was holding his calf before he was helped off by three members of Man Utd’s medical staff after referee Robert Jones’ whistle.

And the Telegraph claims the England centre-back left Villa Park in a protective boot to leave Erik ten Hag sweating over his fitness.

Maguire’s counterpart Jonny Evans also looked to be struggling in the first half after a crunching challenge on Leon Bailey – but went onto win Man of the Match.

Maguire and Noussair Mazraoui were subsequently subbed at the interval, with Matthijs de Ligt and Victor Lindelof brought on as replacements.

Maguire also picked up a yellow card for leaning into Ollie Watkins’ face with his arm in the 36th minute and will now undergo tests to determine the extent of his problem.

The 31-year-old missed Euro 2024 amid ongoing issues with his calf.

Maguire had been handed a start over Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez

The defender wasn’t deemed fit enough to come out for the second half

And Man Utd now face an anxious wait over their former captain, who scored a last-gasp equaliser for Ten Hag’s side in a 3-3 draw with Porto in the Europa League on Thursday.

Ten Hag is under mounting pressure to save his job following a nightmare start to the season.

SunSport reported this week that the Dutchman had two games to persuade Old Trafford chiefs of his ability.

But with Maguire off, Villa stepped up the intensity after a pretty tame first 45 minutes from both sides.

Just before he was substituted in the 64th minute, Marcus Rashford was fortunate enough to avoid receiving a second yellow card for lunging in on Bailey.

After 68 minutes, Bruno Fernandes had the best chance to put the opposition ahead with a strong free-kick shot that struck the crossbar.

The Red Devils played fierce defense despite the evident alterations in their defensive lineup, even if both teams’ forward play was noticeably subpar.

Ten Hag’s crucial match ended in a draw, and as Man Utd are now 10 points behind leaders Liverpool in 14th place, the Dutchman’s future is currently out of his control.