Rúben Amorim has hinted at a possible debut for one Manchester United Academy star as Noussair Mazraoui is ruled out of the tie against Brentford.
Manchester United make the trip to West London on Sunday afternoon as they resume their Premier League campaign against Brentford.
Rúben Amorim’s side come into the fixture on a high after a dominant 3-0 win away to Athletic Club in the Europa League semi-final first leg, with Casemiro heading home the opener and Bruno Fernandes adding two more.
But while their European form has been strong, United are still searching for a league victory, having failed to win any of their last five Premier League matches.
With the return leg against Athletic on the horizon, Amorim is likely to rotate his squad—resting senior players and turning to the club’s Academy for reinforcements.
Mazraoui ruled out vs Brentford
The fantastic fixture in Bilbao saw Amad and Matthijs de Ligt both return to action, while Altay Bayındır was also welcomed back to the matchday squad.
However, speaking after the tie, Amorim confirmed that Noussair Mazraoui is one player who will not feature against Brentford as he is on the brink of injury, while Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu is another player who has looked visibly tired.
“Nous Mazraoui is dead [tired], Patrick is tired, so we have to manage the players,” Amorim said, before later stating that “Nous Mazraoui cannot play. He’s in the limit to get an injury.”
As for those who remain unavailable, Toby Collyer was training individually earlier this week, while Diogo Dalot remains out and will be assessed weekly to see if he can play again this season.
Joshua Zirkzee and Lisandro Martínez are confirmed to be out injured for the remainder of the campaign, with the latter not expected back until November following an ACL injury.
Amorim’s replacement for Mazraoui includes possible debut
with Dalot out and both Mazraoui and Dorgu unlikely to start, Harry Amass is expected to be brought in at left wing-back to hand Dorgu a rest.
However, to replace Mazraoui, it is likely that Amorim will have to hand another debut on Sunday afternoon.
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There are two candidates to fill the right wing-back positon, with one bein Jaydan Kamason, an explosive left-back with an eye for goal and dynamic attacking abilities that suit the wing-back role well.
Another possibility is for Amorim to field Bendito Mantato, who is set to sign a new five-year contract with the club, in the position.
However, with Mantato being classed as a forward in United’s Europa League squad list, this is a hint that Amorim sees the player as a future attacking midfielder rather than wing-back.
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