Rúben Amorim hints Manchester United Academy star could make “big step” vs Real Sociedad

Rúben Amorim has hinted that he feels one Manchester United Academy star could take a “big step” against Real Sociedad on Thursday evening.

Rúben Amorim will be looking for his Manchester United side to carry their Europa League momentum into their knockout clash with Real Sociedad.

Despite their struggles in the Premier League and a recent FA Cup exit, United have won all three of their European matches under the Portuguese coach and now face La Liga opposition in the round of 16.

The first leg takes place in San Sebastián on Thursday evening, with the return fixture at Old Trafford a week later.

With their domestic campaign faltering and FA Cup elimination confirmed, winning the Europa League is United’s best route to securing Champions League football next season.

Amorim on his squad selection

It was announced on Wednesday afternoon that, despite having the opportunity to select 23 players in his pre-match squad, Amorim had chosen only to take 18 players to San Sebastian.

Many were balled at the decision, considering the number of Academy players that had taken part in the open training session before the squad flew to Spain.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Amorim was asked why he opted against selecting Academy players in the remaining five squad spaces, to which he replied that he felt it may have been to big of a step for them.

“When I put the squad, I see the players that I have that train with us, and then I imagine the substitutions,” Amorim explained.

“That’s why I sometimes I call it one or two, and then I’m trying to see if they train with us, and then I try to see if they come here to play or to be on the bench for you guys to be like seeing a lot of youth. I’m trying to manage everything.

“I know that is a big step for them, and I’m trying to cope with everything. So when I do my squad, I’m trying to think in every aspect of the formation, our squad, and not what is going to look like really well with the fans and the media.”

One player can take this “big step”

However, amid United not having ten first-team players available for the trip, Amorim still chose to select three Academy products to fly to Spain.

Goalkeepers Dermot Mee and Elyh Harrison have joined André Onana as part of the goalkeeping department, while Harry Amass was selected to travel.

Read More: Manchester United’s new injury is a blessing in disguise – Rúben Amorim can start his best back five vs Real Sociedad

While Mee and Harrison have been selected as reserve choices in the goalkeeping position should Onana be injured ahead of kick-off or during the game, Amass’ selection holds a different weight.

Amass is yet to make his debut for the club, but fans have seen him aplenty in the last year after he played a prominent role in pre-season as well as in the U18s last and this season.

United have already flown three first-team full-backs to Spain in Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, and Patrick Dorgu, so including Amass as an option suggests Amorim may feel that the young full-back is one of the players most ready to take this “big step” in the first-team.

When speaking about Amass, Amorim said: “Amass is here today. in the last game against Fulham we wanted too [include him] but because he played all game against Arsenal [in the FA Youth Cup].”

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