Leny Yoro is expected to start for Manchester United in the Europa League final against Tottenham.
The 19-year-old came off injured in the Premier League defeat against West Ham 10 days ago and it seemed unlikely he would be fit to feature from the beginning, but Yoro travelled with the squad and is due to be part of Ruben Amorim’s backline in Bilbao.
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The United head coach had previously confirmed Joshua Zirkzee, Diogo Dalot and Yoro could all play parts in the final after recovering from injuries to travel to Bilbao.
Zirkzee has been out since April 13 with a hamstring injury, Dalot went down a week later suffering a calf issue, and Yoro has missed one game with a foot problem. Amorim said each one may need to manage minutes but could feature in United’s bid to win a sixth European trophy in their history.
“Me neither!” said Amorim when it was proposed people did not anticipate Zirkzee’s return. “They recover quite well, they push,” he said of the trio. “We have to respect the feeling of the player, we push a little bit because they want to be part of the team, a very good sign, and they are limited in the minutes but they can help us to win the game.”
Centre-back Mathijs de Ligt has been ruled out despite travelling to Bilbao with the squad. He went off against Brentford on May 4.
Dalot has recovered from a calf problem (Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Amorim does have a healthier squad to select from than expected given the injury problems he has experiences this season, and he has selection decisions in the No 10 positions with Amad, Alejandro Garnacho, Mason Mount, and captain Bruno Fernandes all vying for a starting spot. Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, and Kobbie Mainoo provide midfield options.
“I think the best 11 to start the game,” said Amorim on who he will pick. “Then it is really important to have options on the bench to change the game. Sometimes it’s just really, really important to win a final.
“In the beginning of the game, I just want to win the game really fast.
“But we know, and we proved against Lyon if we have to score three goals in six minutes, we are able to do it, especially with our fans in the stadium.”
(Top photo: Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
