One of Rúben Amorim’s forgotten men may make his return as Manchester United face off against Chelsea in the Premier League on Friday evening.
Manchester United are putting the finishing touches on preparations for their penultimate Premier League clash of the 2024/25 season, as Rúben Amorim’s men travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on Friday evening.
It marks United’s final away fixture of the campaign, with the Reds set to round off their league season at Old Trafford against Aston Villa on Sunday, 25 May in what has been a thoroughly disappointing domestic run.
With just days between the Chelsea game and the Europa League final, United will already have one eye on Bilbao, where they’ll face Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, 21 May in their biggest game of the season.
Regardless of how the last two matches go, United are guaranteed their worst-ever Premier League finish, currently languishing in 16th place with a tally of just 39 points from 36 games.
Evans tipped to return after five-month wait
Although United have the Europa League final five days after the upcoming Chelsea clash, Amorim is expected to bring a strong squad when United travel to London on Friday afternoon.
However, with Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro ruled out of the Chelsea tie, Jonny Evans may make his return to the squad, and could play his first minutes for the club in five months.
The 37-year-old will likely be named on the bench for the tie, and with Amorim keen to make sure Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, and Noussair Mazraoui are not overplayed, Evans could come off the bench to make his first appearance for the club since mid-November.
Meanwhile, many of Amorim’s other key players are expected to travel to London. Diogo Dalot is ruled out of the fixture, but Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Højlund, Bruno Fernandes, and others may all play from the start and come off after 60 or 70 minutes.
Amid his injuries, Amorim is still expected to select some Academy players within his squad, with Chido Obi, Harry Amass, and Tyler Fredricson possibly also getting minutes from the bench.
Joshua Zirkzee and Lisandro Martínez are not in contention for selection after being ruled out for the remainder of the season.
United expected squad vs Chelsea
Goalkeepers: André Onana, Altay Bayındır.
Defenders: Victor Lindelöf, Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire, Patrick Chukwueze Dorgu, Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans, Harry Amass, Tyler Fredricksen.
Midfielders: Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen, Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo.
Forwards: Rasmus Højlund, Amad, Alejnadro Garnacho, Chido Obi.
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