Ruben Amorim has several selection headaches for Manchester United’s upcoming Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur next week.
Following a dominant 7-1 aggregate win over Athletic Club in the semi-finals, Manchester United are on the brink of Europa League glory.
Ruben Amorim’s side, the only unbeaten team left in the tournament, will meet Tottenham Hotspur in the final—both clubs having experienced similar domestic challenges this season.
United will be determined to claim their third trophy in three years and secure Champions League qualification for next season after a dismal Premier League campaign.
Boosting their chances, key players including Amad, Mason Mount, and Luke Shaw are returning to full fitness at an ideal moment, ahead of the final on Wednesday, 21 May at 19:00 BST.
However, Amorim still has a variety of difficult selection choices he will need to make ahead of the final, with UtdDistrict highlighting three of them below.
Potential Yoro replacement?
The most obvious issue Amorim has ahead of the final is the possibility that Leny Yoro is not fit to start the game after his injury against West Ham.
While the United boss suggested that the issue may only be small, you do not want to push him to start a European final with any uncertainty around his fitness, even if he has been one of team’s the best players in recent months.
There are several options who could replace the Frenchman, including experienced defender Victor Lindelof. Although some other options like Ayden Heaven and Matthijs de Ligt seem unlikely to be fit for the final.
Luke Shaw is another potential solution for that left-sided centre-back role and Amorim will likely opt for the English defender if Yoro is not deemed fit to start.
Who plays at wingback?
There is also an argument to be made about who starts at wingback in the final. Patrick Dorgu and Amad are perhaps the most popular options.
However, Amorim may consider putting Amad in the front three so he has the best chance of creating danger on the frontline. Perhaps someone like Noussair Mazraoui or Shaw steps forward into wingback with someone else going into the back three.
Dorgu and Amad have shown some good chemistry on the right in moments. They linked up well to set up Rasmus Hojlund against Athletic Club. Diogo Dalot also could be an outside shout to start the game if he proves his fitness in time.
Stick or twist with midfield pivot?
During United’s last four Europa League matches – against Lyon and Athletic Club – Amorim has opted for the midfield pivot of Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro.
Bruno Fernandes has moved higher up the pitch, despite looking at his best in that two-man midfield. The idea is for United to look more defensively secure.
However, Amorim’s best moments have usually come with the Portuguese captain in that deeper role with an extra attacker beyond him. Ugarte’s form has also tailed off in recent weeks despite making some assists.
Amorim will have the difficult decision as to whether he should stick with the Casemiro and Ugarte pivot which he’s been using in European competition, or twisting and bringing Fernandes back into that position.
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