Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has indicated that he won’t be taking any chances with player fitness in the upcoming Premier League match against Brentford, especially with the crucial Europa League semi-final second leg against Athletic Club just four days later.
The Red Devils secured a 3-0 victory over Athletic Club on Thursday, and Amorim has emphasised that their focus remains on European competition since it is their only avenue for silverware as they currently sit at 14th in the Premier League.
“Firstly, any players at risk of injury will not participate, regardless of the situation,” Amorim stated to the media following the win. “We will assess the squad on Friday and again on Saturday to identify the best players to start the match.”
“We need to exercise caution; we are Manchester United, and we cannot approach a match without the mindset to win. It will be a challenging process, but we’ve overcome many obstacles this year. This is just another hurdle to clear. We’ll see how it goes.”
Noussair Mazraoui has already been confirmed as unavailable for the match on Sunday, having been substituted on Thursday due to fatigue, with Amorim stating the defender is “on the verge of sustaining an injury.”
Among those who could make an appearance on Sunday are young talents Harry Amass, Tyler Fredricson, Jaydan Kamason, Bendito Mantato, and Chido Obi, who were part of the travelling squad to Spain.
Thursday’s fixture marked the return of winger Amad Diallo and central defender Matthijs de Ligt, providing a significant boost to the team.
Amorim hailed Diallo’s comeback as vital, noting that he adds a different dimension to the attack. Diallo made his return as a substitute in the 84th minute and had scored nine goals and provided eight assists before suffering an ankle injury in February that threatened to end his season.
“Losing Diallo was quite challenging for us because, at that point, he was the player creating most opportunities alongside Bruno (Fernandes),” Amorim explained.
“It was especially tough for him, as he had been performing so well before his injury during a busy period for the team.”
“Now that he’s back, while he may not be as explosive at this moment, his unique left-footed ability differs from (Alejandro) Garnacho, who excels in one-on-one situations. We lack players with those skills, making Diallo’s return highly significant for us. He provides us with another valuable option.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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