Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does not think Harry Maguire will be fit to captain Manchester United in the Europa League final against Villarreal on Wednesday.
Maguire sustained ankle ligament damage at Aston Villa on May 9 and has missed the last three games against Fulham, Liverpool and Leicester.
The 28-year-old has attended United's recent fixtures on crutches but was without them when he attended a film premiere at Old Trafford on Thursday night, fuelling hope among supporters he would be fit for next week.
However, Solskjaer struck a pessimistic tone when asked for an update on the £80million centre-back, who will still travel to Gdansk irrespective of his fitness.
"He's walking but it's a long way from walking to running, to be honest," Solskjaer said. "I don't think we'll see him Gdansk, no. But I'm going to give him until Tuesday night, last training session, to see if he can be out there. Steadily but surely he's improving. But ligaments take time to heal.
"He's a very important person in the dressing room and a leader. Before fans came in you all heard him from the stands, he does still want the team to do well, he's organising even from the stands, which has been easy because it's been so quiet.
"He'll come, he'll be in the dressing room, he'll make sure everyone's ready for the final."
United travel to Wolves for their final Premier League game on Sunday and Solskjaer has ruled out a return for Anthony Martial, sidelined since March with a knee injury. Scott McTominay and Fred could both return after suffering knocks in the draw with Fulham on Tuesday night.
"You want to go into the final with loads of energy and confidence, so we'll make a few changes, freshen up a few, rest a few who've been really playing and been regulars in the team.
"We've done really well away from home, enjoy it and get some minutes into a few who might need it before the final.
"Anthony's not going to be available," Solskjaer clarified. "Scott and Fred should be okay."
