Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has insisted that he will have a “competitive” team available to face Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday, even though as many as 10 players could miss their last-16 first-leg tie in Spain.
The Europa League now represents the only opportunity for the Red Devils to win silverware this season after they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Fulham in the fifth round on Sunday.
Holders Man United were beaten 4-3 in a penalty shootout by the Cottagers at Old Trafford, following a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes, with both Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee the unfortunate ones who failed to convert from 12 yards.
Harry Maguire was handed his sixth successive start for Man United against Fulham, but the central defender was substituted before the start of extra time after he appeared to have suffered a knock.
The 31-year-old, who has enjoyed a career resurgence at Old Trafford in recent months, has subsequently emerged as a doubt for Thursday’s contest and is the latest name who could join a lengthy list of injury absentees.
Speaking to reporters after Man United’s FA Cup exit, Amorim confirmed that he may have fitness problems with a number of players before their trip to Spain, but he is still planning to name a strong team against Real Sociedad.
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Maguire to be assessed before Real Sociedad clash
Asked if more injuries were picked up against Fulham, alluding to Maguire, Amorim said: “We’ll see. We’ll see. I have to see how is Harry Maguire. We will see. It’s a tough moment in that aspect, but we have to move on. It will be a competitive team on Thursday.”
Alejandro Garnacho was a doubt prior to the loss to Fulham, but he managed to shake off a knock to feature as a second-half substitute and the attacker should be fit to face Real Sociedad.
However, Lisandro Martinez and Amad Diallo are two first-team stars who are sidelined for the rest of the season with respective knee and ankle injuries.
Kobbie Mainoo is thought to be targeting a return from a calf injury at the start of next month, while there is uncertainty over when Luke Shaw (hamstring), Mason Mount, Altay Bayindir (both unspecified), Jonny Evans (muscle) and Toby Collyer (knock) will return to the first-team fold.
Like Maguire, third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton is currently down as a doubt, so 22-year-old Hubert Graczyk and 17-year-old William Murdock could once again provide cover on the bench for first-choice shot-stopper Andre Onana.
Meanwhile, Patrick Dorgu served the first of a three-game domestic suspension on Sunday, but the January signing is available to play against Real Sociedad on Thursday, before serving the second game of his ban at home to Arsenal in the Premier League on March 9.
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