Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has revealed that Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt are both set to be on the bench for Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg against Athletic Bilbao.
Amad and De Ligt both returned to training on Wednesday morning after overcoming injury problems, and the pair were subsequently named in the squad for the European clash with Athletic in Spain.
Amorim has said that neither will be in the starting XI against the Lions, but the duo are set to provide valuable options off the bench, as the Red Devils bid to secure a strong result to take into the second leg in Manchester.
The Man United head coach also explained why Sekou Kone and Chido Obi have been named in the travelling squad despite neither being eligible for the Europa League.
Youngsters Tyler Fredricson, Bendito Mantato and Jaydan Kamason are included and are options on Thursday, with Amorim also planning for Sunday’s Premier League game against Brentford.
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Amad, De Ligt set to be on the bench against Athletic
“To start, no, but they can be in the squad for the game. The rest of the players, we have the game tomorrow and we train here on Friday. We need to prepare for the next game against Brentford. We have brought young kids to prepare for the next game,” Amorim told reporters.
Man United have had a disastrous 2024-25 Premier League campaign, sitting down in 14th spot in the table, but the Red Devils would secure qualification for next season’s Champions League by winning the Europa League this term.
“Nothing is going to save our season, but this can be huge; winning a trophy. Being in the Champions League could change a lot of things in our club this summer,” said the manager.
“They are prepared. Every player is an international. The context in this season has been complicated in every aspect. I don’t see it as an issue. They are excited and are capable of winning. It could change our dynamic and next year. We have to deal with a lot of things in our club and we will be fine, with or without Champions League.”
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Amorim: “We have a lack of goals”
Amorim also said that Rasmus Hojlund “is in a good moment” after scoring against Bournemouth on Sunday, with the Denmark international finding the back of the net for the ninth time during the 2024-25 campaign.
The 22-year-old is again set to lead the line on Thursday, with Joshua Zirkzee on the sidelines through injury, while Obi is not eligible for the Europa League despite his involvement in the squad.
“Our focus is to help the players that we have. Rasmus [Hojlund] scored one goal in the last game. You can see Rasmus has the talent. Joshua [Zirkzee] has the talent. Chido [Obi] has the talent,” Amorim added.
“We have to improve the players, but to improve the players individually we have to improve the way we perform, the way we play. We are far from being a really consistent team that can help the strikers score goals. We have a lack of goals and that has cost us a lot of points.
“The same that he had in the last game; he scored. He is working really hard. Some of the goals that we scored, especially in this competition, he has been really important with his movement. I think he is in a good moment and a good spirit to do a great game tomorrow.”
Ex-Man United defender Paul Parker has told Sports Mole that even success in the Europa League this season would not overshadow a poor Premier League campaign for the club.
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