Manchester United will be eager to get close to a spot in the UEFA Europa League final when they lock horns with Athletic Club at San Mames in the semi-final first leg on Thursday night. Ruben Amorim has greeted positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Matthijs de Ligt (foot) and Amad Diallo (ankle) are fit and available after recovering from their injuries and resuming training this week. The duo is in the travelling squad to take on Athletic Club on Thursday.
However, Lisandro Martinez (knee), Ayden Heaven (ankle), Diogo Dalot (calf), Toby Collyer (knock), and Joshua Zirkzee (hamstring) remain on the sidelines. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Amorim provided a fitness update on Amad and de Ligt. He also discussed the reasons for including several youngsters in the travelling squad.
Responding to the questions on whether Amad and de Ligt were ready to start against Athletic Club this week, the Manchester United manager said, “To start, no. But they can be in the squad for the game.”
“The rest of the players we have a game tomorrow then we have to train here Friday, so we need to prepare not just this game, but also prepare the next game against Brentford. So we took a lot of especially young kids to prepare the next game.”
Meanwhile, Amorim also spoke about his expectations from Rasmus Hojlund. The Manchester United boss said, “The same as in the last game. He scored the equaliser. He’s really anxious in every game to score goals, but he’s working really hard.”
“I already say that, in goals that we scored in this tournament he was really important, even when he didn’t score, he opened up the space. I expect the same thing, he needs to work hard for the team. I think he’s in a good moment, in a good spirit, to do a great game tomorrow.”
With Joshua Zirkzee unavailable, Hojlund will lead the line for Manchester United against Athletic Club, with Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho providing creative support. As for the midfield unit, Manuel Ugarte should replace Kobbie Mainoo as Casemiro’s central midfield partner. So, Mainoo and Mason Mount will be backup options on the bench.
Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu are automatic picks for the wing-back spots, with Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, and Luke Shaw forming the central defensive unit. Finally, Andre Onana will take his place between the sticks.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
