Manchester United travel to Brentford in the Prermier League on Sunday with Ruben Amorim already set to be without five players through injury.
Ruben Amorim faces a Manchester United team selection decision with Noussair Mazraoui at risk of injury.(Image: (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Manchester United could be without five players for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Brentford. United are on the cusp of a European final as they take a three-goal first-leg lead against Athletic Bilbao into their reverse fixture at Old Trafford on Thursday, but return to domestic action before they compete in the Europa League.
Moroccan full-back Noussair Mazraoui may also join the list of absentees after Ruben Amorim admitted that the former Bayern Munich and Ajax defender is close to maximum output. The Portuguese head coach is already without Lisandro Martinez, Joshua Zirkzee, Diogo Dalot and Ayden Heaven while Toby Collyer faces a late fitness test.
United could rise as high as 13th with a win over Thomas Frank’s side as they currently find themselves in 15th, two points clear of possible Europa League final opponents Tottenham Hotspur and three ahead of West Ham United.
The Argentine defender picked up an anterior cruciate ligament injury in February, which ruled him out for the remainder of the season.
Zirkzee was another casualty in an injury-ravaged season after picking up a hamstring injury during their 4-1 defeat at Newcastle United.
The Dutchman will be forced to watch the remainder of the campaign unfold from the touchline after being ruled out for the rest of the season.
Dalot faces a race against time to be fit for the conclusion of the campaign after picking up a calf injury in the defeat at home to Wolves in mid-April.
Question marks remain over Heaven’s involvement after missing recent outings with a knock, as well as a small setback, club sources have suggested.
And Amorim has admitted that they will rotate the squad for the trip to the capital to avoid exposing their players to fresh injuries.
“In this moment it is hard to separate. We know we always have a responsibility but in this moment, we have to take a risk,” he said.
“There are some positions where we don’t have more players, for example, Mazraoui cannot play, he’s at the limit to get an injury, so we will prepare for the game against a team that is in a great moment.
“We always have a responsibility to perform but in this moment, we have to be clear that our focus is on saving players and trying to be competitive is not a good thing to say but we need to understand the context.”
He added: “The players who are in risk to get injury will not play, no matter what.
“We are going to assess who are the best players then we have to be careful because we are Manchester United and we cannot go into a game without thinking we can win.
“The process is going to be tough but we pass so many things this year, this is another, let’s see.”