Rúben Amorim has confirmed the latest on his Manchester United players as they prepare to welcome Brighton to Old Trafford on Saturday evening.
Fresh from a brilliant 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, Manchester United return to Old Trafford for a demanding fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Rúben Amorim’s side have endured an inconsistent season, with defeats to Brentford and Grimsby Town raising doubts about his long-term future in the dugout.
However, the victory at Anfield — United’s first there in nearly ten years and their second consecutive league win — has reignited belief both within the squad and among supporters.
Even so, Brighton have long been a difficult opponent for United, and Amorim will be eager to right the wrongs of last season’s 3-1 home defeat to Fabian Hürzler’s men.
Amorim explains United’s injury latest
Ahead of the Brighton tie, Amorim spoke in his Friday afternoon press conference, where he was asked for the latest injury news about his Reds.
Amorim explained that both Harry Maguire and Mason Mount picked up knocks against Liverpool and are doubts to face Brighton, but will likely be fit enough to be part of the squad.
“The squad is fine. We have some doubts; we had some issues during the week with Harry Maguire and Mason Mount. Knocks, but nothing serious,” the Portuguese boss confirmed. “Licha [Lisandro Martínez] is out, but the rest is ready for the game.”
Martínez is continuing to recover from a knee injury, but is thought to be in the final phase of his rehabilitation and will rejoin the main group in a matter of weeks, if not days.
“I don’t know [when he will return], he trained really well,” Amorim said of the defender. “Not with us, but on the next pitch, and I was watching also the training.
“He’s feeling well and the knee is responding really well, so I don’t want to say one specific day or week, but he’s near to starting the training with the team. Then it depends whether he wins a place or not. That will depend on him, but he is closer to returning to [full] training.”
Martínez return could cause position shifts
So far this season, Luke Shaw has started every one of United’s Premier League fixtures as the left centre-back in United’s back three, playing alongside either Harry Maguire or Matthijs de Ligt to his right.
However, Martínez’s imminent return to the squad could have a knock-on effect, with multiple players possibly trialled in new positions as the season progresses.
The Argentina international is expected to become United’s first-choice in Shaw’s current position once he is back to full match fitness, and this may well lead to the latter being used as a left wing-back.
Although this position has been Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu’s for most of the season, of late, Diogo Dalot has been trialled there, but to little effect. If Amorim wants to continue experimenting, Shaw has previously stated he feels his best position in the squad may be at left wing-back.
Earlier this year, Dorgu actually made his debut for United as an inverted right wing-back rather than on the left flank. Although Amad has nailed this spot down for now, the Dane could be put back on the right-hand side to test his effectiveness, having played as a right winger in the early days of his career so far.
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