Amorim to Freshen Up Manchester United Squad for Brentford Challenge Amid European Focus

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has stated he won’t compromise player fitness during Sunday’s Premier League fixture against Brentford, especially with the Europa League semi-final second leg against Athletic Club looming just four days later.

United secured a 3-0 victory over Athletic Club on Thursday, and Amorim emphasised that European competition remains their main focus, particularly as they currently sit at 14th in the Premier League standings.

“Firstly, any players who are at risk of injury will not feature, regardless of the situation,” Amorim told reporters following the win. “We’ll assess the squad again on Friday and the following day to determine who are the best players to start the match.

“It’s essential to remember that we are Manchester United, and we cannot approach any game without believing we can secure a victory. That’s the process we’ll follow. It’s going to be challenging, but we’ve faced numerous hurdles this year. This is just another one. Let’s see how it goes.”

Noussair Mazraoui has already been sidelined for the match on Sunday, having been taken off during Thursday’s game due to fatigue, with Amorim commenting that the defender is “on the brink of injury.”

Youngsters Harry Amass, Tyler Fredricson, Jaydan Kamason, Bendito Mantato, and Chido Obi could all be given a chance to play on Sunday, as they were among those who travelled to Spain.

Thursday’s encounter also marked the return of winger Amad Diallo and central defender Matthijs de Ligt, providing a significant boost to the squad.

Amorim described Diallo’s comeback as crucial, as he brings a different attacking dynamic. Diallo, who came on in the 84th minute, had netted nine goals and provided eight assists before suffering an ankle injury in February that threatened to cut his season short.

“It was really tough for us because at that moment, (Diallo) was the key player creating chances and assisting Bruno (Fernandes),” Amorim reflected.

“Losing a player of his calibre at such a critical time, especially with a packed schedule, was challenging for us and for Amad, who was in excellent form.

“Now that he’s back, you can sense he isn’t quite as explosive just yet, but his unique left-footed ability is distinct from (Alejandro) Garnacho’s style, which is crucial for us. We don’t have many players who can take on defenders in one-on-one situations. So having him back is a significant advantage for us.”