Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim explains why he has only taken an 18-man squad to Spain for Thursday’s Europa League last-16 first leg against Real Sociedad.
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has explained why he has only taken an 18-man squad to Spain for Thursday’s Europa League last-16 first leg against Real Sociedad.
Man United have 10 players unavailable for selection through injury, including Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte, with Amorim not prepared to risk the duo due to issues that they sustained against Fulham in the FA Cup.
Three goalkeepers are in the group, including Dermot Mee and Elyh Harrison, while defender Harry Amass has made the trip to Spain.
However, Jaydan Kamason, Jack Fletcher, Jack Moorhouse and James Scanlon were not included despite training with the senior squad on Wednesday.
“When I put the squad, I see the players that I have that train with us and then I imagine the substitutions,” Amorim told reporters. “That’s why I sometimes call it one or two. Then I’m trying to see if they train with us.
“Then I’m trying to see if they come here to play or be on the bench, for you guys to be seeing a lot of youth. I’m trying to manage everything.
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Amorim has named an 18-man squad for Europa League battle
“I know it’s a big step for them. I’m trying to cope with everything. When I do my squad, I’m trying to think about every aspect, of the formation of the kid, of the squad and not if it will look really well with the fans and the media.”
When asked about Jack Fletcher, Amorim added: “He [Jack] didn’t train with us [earlier]. And he had a game before Fulham [the FA Youth Cup victory over Arsenal]. Amass is here today. In the last game against Fulham, we wanted Amass also but, because he played a full game against Arsenal, he was not in our squad.
“We try to manage all the teams and try to imagine the substitutions and we know to bring some players [in] is a big step. We are taking care of the expectations of the kids.”
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Obi is a notable absentee for Man United
Chido Obi, meanwhile, was not registered for Man United in this season’s competition, with Amorim explaining why the 17-year-old was not named in the revised squad in early February.
“It’s a different context in that moment,” he said. “Rasmus [Hojlund] and Josh [Zirkzee] were playing in the same position, so we try to manage all the things, even the expectations of the kids.
“So it was that. The context was completely different and we choose different players.”
Alongside Maguire and Ugarte, Lisandro Martinez, Amad Diallo, Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton and Jonny Evans are currently on the sidelines for the 20-time English champions.
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