Amorim explains smaller squad selection

Amorim explains smaller squad selection

Ruben Amorim has outlined the reasons why he has opted to only take 18 Manchester United players to Spain, for the Europa League clash with Real Sociedad.

The Reds travelled with depleted resources for the round-of-16 tie after Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte were ruled out due to injury.

There are three goalkeepers in the group – Andre Onana, Dermot Mee and Elyh Harrison – and defender Harry Amass is likely to be among the substitutes.

However, our head coach was asked about why other young players could not join him, with the likes of Jaydan Kamason, Jack Fletcher, Jack Moorhouse and James Scanlon training with the senior squad at Carrington on Wednesday.

“When I put the squad, I see the players that I have that train with us and then I imagine the substitutions,” Ruben reasoned, during his press conference at the Reale Arena. “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.

“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.”

Jack Fletcher is eligible but striker Chido Obi, who did well as a substitute against Fulham last time out, is not, and the boss was asked about both players during his chat to the assembled journalists in San Sebastian.

“He [Jack] didn’t train with us [earlier],” explained Amorim. “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.”

Amorim and De Ligt’s press conference Video

Amorim and De Ligt’s press conference

PRESS CONFERENCE | Get the latest news and views from San Sebastian, after Ruben and Matthijs sat down with the media…

As for Obi, the squad had to be registered with UEFA in early February, and Ruben pointed out that the picture looked a little different back then, before the 17-year-old broke onto the senior scene.

“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.”

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