Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has ruled Matthijs de Ligt out of Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second leg against Athletic Bilbao, but the centre-back should return to action next week.
De Ligt made his return from a foot injury off the bench against Athletic last week, and he was then named in the starting side for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Brentford.
The Netherlands international had to be replaced in the latter stages of the first period against the Bees, and he was not able to train with the Red Devils on Wednesday, with the team preparing for the second leg of their last-four clash with Athletic.
De Ligt has now officially been ruled out of Thursday’s match, and also Sunday’s game with West Ham United, but he could be back for the Premier League fixture with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on May 16.
“It is not a big issue [for De Ligt]. That is a good thing. He cannot play tomorrow and he’ll not play on Sunday [against West Ham United at Old Trafford] but then we’ll check day-by-day,” Amorim told reporters.
De Ligt ruled out of Athletic contest at Old Trafford
Christian Eriksen did not train on Wednesday morning, but it is understood that the Denmark international is available for selection.
Noussair Mazraoui was a part of the group that trained, though, with the Morocco international back in the fold after being rested against Brentford at the weekend in order to manage his workload.
Chido Obi was also among those to train, with the 17-year-old making his first Premier League start on Sunday, but the ex-Arsenal youngster is ineligible for the Europa League.
Which other Man United players are out of action?
Ayden Heaven trained away from the main group on Wednesday, with the former Arsenal youngster still working his way back from injury, and he will not be involved against Athletic on Thursday.
Toby Collyer is dealing with a fitness problem, meanwhile, with the midfielder also set to be missing for the clash with the Lions.
“The rest, Ayden doesn’t recover. Toby is not available, I think that’s it,” Amorim said during his press conference.
Lisandro Martinez and Joshua Zirkzee are both out for the remainder of the campaign through injury, while Diogo Dalot is battling a calf problem which may also have ended his season.
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