Rúben Amorim has issued the latest regarding the possible returns of Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire as Manchester United prepare to face Aston Villa.
Manchester United will aim to extend their impressive away form when they travel to Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon, in a fixture that could prove pivotal in the Premier League title race.
While Rúben Amorim’s side have struggled at home in recent weeks, repeatedly surrendering winning positions, including letting Bournemouth back into the game three times during Monday night’s chaotic 4-4 draw, their performances on the road have been far more convincing.
The Reds are unbeaten away from home since late September, recording notable victories against Liverpool and Crystal Palace, alongside draws with Nottingham Forest and Tottenham.
A trip to Villa Park, however, represents their sternest challenge so far. Unai Emery’s side have won nine consecutive Premier League matches and sit just three points behind leaders Arsenal, with Villa set to view an inconsistent United as another opponent they can exploit on home soil.
What Amorim said about De Ligt and Maguire
United’s incredible draw with Bournemouth showed that, while the Reds improved in attack, there were gaping holes in their defensive lines to exploit.
United started with Luke Shaw, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, and Diogo Dalot in an unorthodox back four, with it clear they need more time training together before they can sync properly.
However, it has also been proposed that the return of Matthijs de Ligt from injury, or even Harry Maguire, could stabilise the side.
But, speaking to the press off camera once his post-match press conference against Bournemouth had ended, Amorim admitted to reporters that he is unsure whether either player would be available to face Villa.
Four confirmed unavailable vs Villa
Aside from the two central defenders, Amorim already knows four further players who he knows will not be available for selection this weekend.
Read More: Rúben Amorim potentially set to reunite with Sporting CP ‘wonder-kid’ amid next transfer priority
Noussair Mazraoui missed the Bournemouth draw as he’s already travelled to the Africa Cup of Nations with Morocco, and he’s set to be joined at the tournament by Amad (Ivory Coast) and Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon) this week.
The trio will be unavailable until at least after the New Year, which is when the group stage ends, and should any of the three progress to the final, they could be unavailable until the final week of January.
At the same time, Casemiro has found himself suspended for the trip to Villa Park after collecting his fifth yellow card of the season on Monday evening.
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