Rúben Amorim issued a hint at a change to his starting XI as Manchester United line up to face Real Sociedad in a Europa League knockout fixture.
Rúben Amorim will be hoping his Manchester United side can carry their strong Europa League form 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 the FA Cup no longer an option, winning the Europa League is United’s best chance of securing a Champions League spot for next season.
Amorim issues United XI change hint
Many United fans have made their feelings known that they are not happy with Amorim’s current front line, with the club’s forwards failing to register goals and aissts.
Six of United’s last seven goals have been from set pieces, with the only open-play effort being struck in by Bruno Fernandes against Fulham on the weekend.
United’s most dangerous attacker in the last few weeks has been Alejandro Garnacho, who was initially rested against Fulham due to a knock on his knee before coming on in the second half.
Speaking to the media after the FA Cup loss, Amorim admitted that Garnacho supplies his team with a profile no other player currently possesses, which hints that he may look to start the 20-year-old against Sociedad.
“No, I think you can feel it that he has like a little bit that knock in the knee,” Amorim said when asked if Garnacho has been lacking in confidence. “He’s good in transitions. We need that in the team sometimes.
“He’s creating and trying to go one against one. He’s also a thing that we lack in this squad. So, I think he’s training well. I think he did well today. So he has to be ready for the next match.”
How United could line up in attack against Sociedad
Should Garnacho start against Sociedad, this would be ahead of Christian Eriksen on the left-hand side, although the Danish international may still play.
Rasmus Højlund has not scored in 18 games, and fans are calling for the player to be dropped. As Chido Obi is not in United’s Europa League squad list, Joshua Zirkzee could therefore take his place up front.
This would leave Eriksen space to start on the right, while Bruno Fernandes would remain in a deeper role.
Although Manuel Ugarte started against Fulham, fans have been calling for Casemiro to be given a chance after his cameo at Old Trafford on the weekend and his intimate knowledge of La Liga clubs, having played in Spain for over a decade.
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