Rúben Amorim has confirmed a major blow about Joshua Zirkzee against Lyon as the latest updates on Manchester United injury news are issued.
Following Manchester United’s 4-1 loss against Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon, Rúben Amorim is turning his attention back to the Europa League.
United are set to welcome Olympique Lyonnais to Old Trafford on Thursday evening in the second installment of their blockbuster quarter-final tie in the European competition.
The first leg saw the two sides play out a 2-2 draw in France, where goals from Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee were cancelled out by Thiago Almada and a 95th-minute equaliser from Rayan Cherki.
However, with United holding a home advantage for the second leg, many are hoping that Amorim’s men will be able to guide themselves to the semi-finals, where they will play one of Athletic Bilbao or Rangers.
In the opening leg of that fixture, the Scottish side held their Spanish opponents to a 0-0 draw in Glasgow despite Dutch centre-half Robin Pröpper being sent off just 13 minutes into the game.
Amorim issues Zirkzee injury blow
While the 4-1 loss in Tyneside was miserable enough for United fans, they were hit with a further blow as striker Zirkzee pulled up with a hamstring issue in the second half.
After making a dancing run through much of the Newcastle side, the Dutch international arrived on the edge of Nick Pope’s area before slowing up, clutching his hamstring and immediately signalling for medical attention before being one of three players substituted.
Speaking after the fixture, Amorim confirmed that Zirkzee would not play against Lyon due to his injury, and will likely miss further fixtures.
“We had to make rotation because we are trying to recover in two days from each game,” he said. “But trying to win this game also.
“Josh, I think he will be out for some games. So, let’s focus on the next one [against Lyon].”
What is United’s other injury news?
There was also a minor scare ahead of the second half when Yoro was seen limping back out to the field from the changing rooms, but the Frenchman was able to complete the full 90 minutes without issue.
As for those absent, there is still no update on Matthijs de Ligt, with Amorim due to give a fresh verdict on his fitness on Wednesday afternoon when he conducts his pre-Lyon press conference.
Amad continues to be out but was recently pictured back in individual training, while Lisandro Martínez is out until November with a knee injury.
In more positive news, Ayden Heaven returned to the matchday squad for the Newcastle tie, while Luke Shaw returned to the pitch on Sunday evening for the first time since December. Kobbie Mainoo also made his second appearance since returning from injury earlier this month.
There is no update on when either Toby Collyer or Jonny Evans will return to action, while it’s expected that André Onana will return to the squad after Amorim chose to keep him out of the limelight against Newcastle following multiple mistakes against Lyon three days prior.
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