Ruben Amorim has admitted that two Manchester United players are unfortunate to be benched for the all-important clash with Athletic Club.
Manchester United now host Athletic Club at Old Trafford in the second-leg of their Europa League semi-final and have a significant advantage heading into the game.
Ruben Amorim’s men won 3-0 away from home last week in the first-leg after Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro secured a comfortable victory in Bilbao.
However, the Reds can afford no complacency in this game and Amorim has named an unchanged lineup from that game in Spain last Thursday.
Some players may feel unfortunate to be left out of the side but the United boss wants to ensure that he has a strong bench that can influence the game.
Amorim admits two United players are unfortunate to be benched vs Athletic Club
Mason Mount and Luke Shaw are both starting to get their fitness since returning from injury but Amorim decided against starting either of them in this game.
The 40-year-old admitted that were unfortunate to not be chosen in the lineup but claims that they can still make an impact in the game as substitutes.
“Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, all the guys, it’s hard to say,” Amorim responded when asked about the tough decisions in relation to the team selection.
“They are working really hard and they know sometimes the coach will think about the starting eleven but thinking also, all the time, about to make a change that can win us the game. They know that.”
Alongside the English pair, United have the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Christian Eriksen and Amad as potential game-changers off the bench.
United can make a statement vs Athletic Club
United will be hoping that they don’t need a super-sub in this game, and that the tie is dead and buried before the second-half even begins.
However, those players do need to be prepared to make an impact in this game, whether if it is to secure the win or to impress the head coach when the game is already over.
There hasn’t been much of a chance for the team to build momentum because of their poor Premier League performances but a commanding win in this game could give the squad confidence, and also make a statement heading into a potential final.
For both Shaw and Mount, they are players who Amorim rates but is being careful with, and they have to show that his trust is justified with performances on the pitch.
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