Rúben Amorim is set to be forced into a selection headache for the Manchester Derby after the club was dealt multiple injury boosts in the last few days.
The next few weeks for Manchester United could become season-defining for Rúben Amorim as he embarks on a series of tough fixtures.
With the international break over and most United players set to return to training on Thursday morning, the club have just under a week to prepare for a gruelling away tie against Nottingham Forest.
Following this, they will welcome Manchester City to Old Trafford in the Manchester Derby after defeating them 2-1 on their own turf earlier this season. They will then prepare to face Olympique Lyonnais across two legs in the Europa League quarter-finals.
Amid the European tie, United will also travel to face Eddie Howe’s Newcastle, which will be no easy test.
Amorim set for selection headache
In the last few months, Amorim’s squad has been hit with a series of injury blows that have left the team very thin, with those such as Lisandro Martínez, Amad, and Kobbie Mainoo all serving prolonged spells on the sidelines.
Selecting a back line with players in their comfortable positions has been a particular issue for Amorim as those such as Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, and Patrick Dorgu have had to miss fixtures due to either injury or suspension since the turn of the year.
However, with United being dealt a positive injury update amid the possible returns of Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven this week, Amorim may find himself in a bit of a selection headache for the Manchester Derby.
While reports indicate it may be too soon for Heaven to return from injury when United face Forest, he may be in contention against Man City, with Yoro in a similar position.
Both teenagers have excelled as a left centre-back in the last month. With Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui likely to take up the centre and right positions in the back three, respectively, Amorim will have to choose which young star he would value more against City.
Who else could return vs Man City?
Mason Mount may also make his first appearance back for United when Pep Guardiola’s men come to town. Mount has not played since the 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium in December due to a hamstring problem, but made his return to the squad against Leicester City just shy of two weeks ago.
It remains to be seen if Mount will play against Forest, but if he does not, he will almost certainly see minutes on the following weekend.
Harry Maguire may be able to make his return in one of the next two fixtures, while there have been rumours that Kobbie Mainoo may return to training this week.
Luke Shaw is set to return “soon” according to Amorim, and there is hope that Amad may be able to resume his stellar season sooner than expected after he hinting at a pending return on social media.
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