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The Guardian
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Ruben Amorim would use younger players in Manchester United’s next three English Premier League fixtures as he prioritizes the UEFA Europa League semi-final against Athletic Bilbao.
United play at Athletic on May 1 and host the return a week later. Matches against Wolves and Bournemouth precede the first leg, and United go to Brentford in between the European fixtures.
A thrilling 5-4 extra-time win over Lyon sent United through 7-6 on aggregate and kept alive their hopes of winning a trophy and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. At least three young players — Harry Amass, Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven — are in line to get more game time than might have been the case.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is pictured before their UEFA Europa League quarter-final second-leg against Olympique Lyonnais at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, on Thursday.
Photo: REUTERS
Amorim brought on the 18-year-old Amass in the 100th minute against Lyon on Thursday for his European debut after giving the defender two Premier League appearances. Obi, a 17-year-old forward, has played three times in the league and once in the English FA Cup, and Heaven, an 18-year-old defender, has played twice in the league, once in the FA Cup and once in the Europa League.
The head coach, who is intent on managing his squad to ensure the best chance of reaching the final, has this month included on the bench five other players who have made academy appearances this season: Jaydan Kamason, Godwill Kukonki, Jack Moorhouse, Sekou Kone and the currently injured Toby Collyer.
“It’s not the best moment or the best season to put some kids to play because they need a strong base to really show what they can do, but in this moment we need to do it,” Amorim said.
“Amass did really well [against Lyon]. Chido, when he played, he played quite well. It’s a difficult moment, it’s not the right moment for the kids to play, but if we have to do it, we will do it,” he added.
Asked how much risk he would take with selection, Amorim said: “I have to see.”
“Players like [Diogo] Dalot, they are always ready, but he was really tired. The guys that are recent to have an injury, we will try to save them,” he said.
Players recently back from injury include Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw.
Amorim namechecked Matheus Cunha after saying Wolves, today’s visitors to Old Trafford, have “real quality players.”
The head coach was asked whether the Brazilian forward, who has 16 goals this season and would welcome a summer move, was a target. “I just gave the example because I remembered about Matheus — he’s scoring a lot of goals,” he said. “Just that.”
Family issues led to Noussair Mazraoui being replaced at halftime against Lyon, and in a separate situation, the substitute Victor Lindelof also left Old Trafford.
Amorim said Lindelof was available to face Wolves and indicated Mazraoui would be too.
“Everything is OK now,” he said of Lindelof. “I know that football is really important, but there are things that are more important, and then they will be ready to face the next game,” he said.
Amorim called on the supporters to back the team against Wolves. “I know it is a bad thing to ask anything this season from our fans, but we need them on Sunday,” he said.
