Skip to content

Manchester United's Paddy McNair still in Helsinki due to injury

Manchester United's Paddy McNair
Image: Manchester United's Paddy McNair was injured in Northern Ireland's draw in Finland

Manchester United defender Paddy McNair will spend a second night in Helsinki in order to have the abdominal injury he sustained in Northern Ireland's 1-1 draw with Finland assessed.

The 20-year-old was injured in the 13th minute of Sunday's match, but played on until six minutes into the second half as Michael O'Neill's side claimed a point that saw them finish top of Euro 2016 qualifying Group F.

McNair spent Sunday night in hospital and the Irish Football Association confirmed on Monday that he will remain in the Finnish capital for another night, with the IFA doctor staying out with him.

Meanwhile, Oliver Norwood has highlighted the role that he believes has been played by former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in Northern Ireland's qualification for Euro 2016.

Six of O'Neill's France-bound squad came through the ranks at Old Trafford, although only McNair is still with the club.

Jonny and Corry Evans, Norwood, Craig Cathcart and Luke McCullough all learned their trade under the Ferguson regime before moving on.

"It might sound silly, but the United lads were brought up properly," said Reading midfielder Norwood.

Also See:

Oliver Norwood and Stuart Dallas celebrate after Northern Ireland's draw with Finland
Image: Oliver Norwood and Stuart Dallas celebrate after Northern Ireland's draw with Finland

"We worked under the regime of the best manager who's ever managed in football, Sir Alex Ferguson. What he passed through that club - to the youth team, to every academy boy - that's something we can look back on with pride.

"We were all together there and now we're all together here at Northern Ireland. We were brought up in a proper football club, training every day with world-class players, but seeing they're just normal people.

"I don't think you'll ever see a 'big time Charlie' coming out of that Manchester United system because it's not allowed there."

The Old Trafford effect has not been lost on manager O'Neill either.

"There's a number of our players who have that same good grounding," he said. "They may have come away from Manchester United, but they've fought back from that disappointment and developed careers for themselves.

"Some of them, like Cathcart, are back in Premier League and some are in the Championship, but now they're here performing on the international stage and they're going to get the chance to go to a major finals."

Around Sky