Rúben Amorim is expected to make a number of changes as Manchester United travel to face Brentford in the Premier League this weekend.
Manchester United are returning to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon as they travel to face Brentford in West London.
Rúben Amorim’s men are coming off the back of a stunning 3-0 win over Athletic Club in Bilbao during the first leg of their Europa League semi-finals, where a header from Casemiro and two from Bruno Fernandes put the club in firm control of the fixture.
Despite remaining unbeaten in Europe, United’s league form still leaves much to be desired, having won none of their last five fixtures in the Premier League.
With the second leg against Athletic Club due to be played at Old Trafford next Thursday evening, it is expected that Amorim will field a somewhat second-rate team in London, resting key players and handing minutes to Academy players.
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The fixture in Bilbao saw Amad and Matthijs de Ligt return to action, which was a huge boost as United entered the final month of their campaign with one foot in the Europa League final.
However, the head coach was also quick to point out that a few of his players need a rest, and he needs to be careful when selecting his side to face Brentford. Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu are two players likely to be rotated.
“We need to be really careful with our players against Brentford, because you can feel it,” Amorim said at full time. “Nous Mazraoui is dead [tired], Patrick is tired, so we have to manage the players.”
Altay Bayındır has also returned to the squad after a few weeks out with an injury. 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 expected to play the kids
With those such as Fernandes, Rasmus Højlund, and Mazraoui all playing significant minutes once again, it’s thought that several debuts might be handed to Academy stars.
United fans have long wanted to see 17-year-old striker Chido Obi be handed his first start for the club after signing from Arsenal earlier this season, and with Højlund having played back-to-back 90-minute fixtures, this is a distinct possibility.
Many will hope to see Amad playing from the start, but considering the importance of the upcoming Europa League semi-final second leg and possible final later this month, Amorim will likely choose to keep him as an impact player off the bench against Brentford.
With both Dorgu and Mazraoui tired, it’s a very real possibility that Harry Amass will return to the side at left wing-back, while Jayadan Kamason, who travelled with the squad to Bilbao, could be handed a debut at right wing-back.
Others, such as Jack Moorhouse and Jack Fletcher, could be handed debut minutes, while Tyler Fredricson could be given a second start for United following a fantastic display against Wolverhampton Wanderers late last month.
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