Rúben Amorim is expected to have four players returning from injury once the international break is over, and this will alter his best starting XI at Manchester United.
Rúben Amorim’s side face a demanding run of fixtures following the international break, while several of Manchester United’s key players have had the chance to rest and recover.
Although the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Rasmus Højlund, and Matthijs de Ligt were involved with their national teams, others such as Mason Mount and Joshua Zirkzee have enjoyed time off, focusing on fitness and recovery.
United are expected to resume full training early next week. Players who remained in Manchester will return to Carrington in the coming days, while those on international duty are likely to rejoin the squad by Thursday.
The Reds face a tricky away trip to Nottingham Forest on 1 April, followed by a Manchester Derby later that week, and a two-legged Europa League quarter-final clash with Olympique Lyonnais looming soon after.
Changes to Amorim’s best XI
In the next week or so, Amorim will have several players returning to training, with Leny Yoro, Mason Mount, Harry Maguire, and possibly Ayden Heaven back with the squad after recent injuries.
This will force a few changes in Amorim’s best XI, although André Onana will remain in goal despite recent transfer speculation surrounding a possible move to Saudi Arabia this summer.
In defence, the return of Yoro on the left of the back three will be a blessing for Amorim. Although Heaven has played well, Yoro is the more experienced player and has formed a very good partnership with Matthijs de Ligt.
The Netherlands international has been fantastic in the central defensive position, while Noussair Mazraoui continues to excel in the right centre-back position.
Diogo Dalot can now return to his natural flank as the right wing-back, with Patrick Dorgu now available after a three-game domestic suspension. The Danish international best plays as a left wing-back.
In the middle of the park, Fernandes has undoubtedly been Amorim’s best player, but there is a question about who pairs with him. While Manuel Ugarte is the more logical choice, Amorim’s best XI may instead include Casemiro for the upcoming games.
Against sides such as Forest and Man City, United will be on the back foot and more compact, and the Brazilian has excelled in those scenarios of late. Amorim would be wise to continue to select the 32-year-old when United have their backs against the wall.
In attack, Joshua Zirkzee was dropped for United’s last game, a 3-0 win against Leicester CIty, but he is expected to return on the left-hand side after a good rest during the international break.
Højlund was able to break his long goal drought as he netted the first goal against Leicester, following this up with a winning goal against Portugal earlier this week.
Alejandro Garnacho also scored last weekend and has excelled on the right wing in recent matches, and Amorim will no doubt continue to play the 20-year-old in that position over the next few weeks.
While Mount is set to return to the team and play a big role in the remaining fixtures, it is to early to tell if the English midfielder will break into Amorim’s best XI.
Amorim’s best United XI after injury returns
Onana, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Yoro, Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu, Garnacho, Højlund, Zirkzee.
Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is streamed live every Thursday at 12:30 pm (GMT) on the United View YouTube channel.