Diogo Dalot is expected to return to Manchester United’s matchday squad as Rúben Amorim selects his team to face Tottenham in the Europa League final.
Manchester United are gearing up for the Europa League final against Tottenham, set to take place in Bilbao on Wednesday night.
While Rúben Amorim’s side have endured a miserable run in the Premier League—going eight games without a victory—their European campaign has been a completely different story.
After finishing third in the group stage, United comfortably saw off Real Sociedad in the round of 16, winning 5-2 on aggregate with a standout second-leg hat-trick from Bruno Fernandes.
The quarter-finals were nothing short of mayhem. A 2-2 draw in Lyon was followed by a chaotic second leg at Old Trafford, where United led 2-0, trailed 4-2, then stormed back with three goals in seven minutes from Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, and Harry Maguire.
They followed that up with a dominant performance against Athletic Club in the semi-finals, winning 3-0 in Bilbao and 4-1 at home. Now, only Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs stand between them and European silverware.
Defensive trio expected to travel to Bilbao on Tuesday
Amorim confirmed after the recent Friday evening 1-0 loss against Chelsea that his team will have both Saturday and Sunday to recover from the tie, and that preparations for the Tottenham fixture will begin on Monday morning.
United will train on Monday and Tuesday morning before flying to Bilbao on Tuesday afternoon, and it’s very possible that Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, and Diogo Dalot could travel with the squad despite the trio missing the tie against Chelsea.
Dalot expressed last week that he feels he could be fit in time to play against Tottenham, while Amorim confirmed that both De Ligt and Yoro were working hard to return to fitness and be available.
With this being the latest news surrounding all three players, Amorim may choose to bring the trio with him to Spain and test their fitness levels on Wednesday morning, before making a late squad inclusion call.
Meanwhile, defender Ayden Heaven returned to action against Chelsea, playing nine minutes off the bench, and hinted after the game that he may be within the travelling squad that flies to Bilbao.
Although Amorim can only select 23 players in his matchday squad, there are no restrictions concerning how many players can travel to the venue.
With no injuries occurring during the Chelsea tie, the 21-man squad that travelled to face Enzo Maresca’s men are all expected to play a part. The injured trio mentioned above, plus a few Academy players, could make up a travelling squad comprising 26 members.
Joshua Zirkzee and Lisandro Martínez are confirmed absentees, having been ruled out for the season with a hamstring and knee injury, respectively.
United expected travelling squad vs Tottenham
Goalkeepers: Andre Onana, Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton.
Defenders: Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, Victor Lindelöf, Ayden Heaven, Diogo Dalot, Tyler Fredricson, Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu, Harry Amass, Jaydan Kamason.
Midfielders: Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Christian Eriksen, Toby Collyer, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes.
Attackers: Amad, Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund, Bendito Mantato.
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