After their Europa League disappointment in Spain, Manchester United’s focus will be back on the Premier League ahead of their huge clash against Arsenal on Sunday.
Injuries remain a concern with Ruben Amorim forced to pick a weakened squad for the game at Reale Arena with Manuel Ugarte and Harry Maguire now joining the injury list.
The head coach revealed that it is highly unlikely that either of them will make it for the game against the Gunners at Old Trafford, which means almost the same squad will be available for the game.
Given how tired the team looked once Real Sociedad did get their fortuitous goal, Amorim made it very clear that Sunday was all about survival.
No injury returns
“I don’t know. We need to survive Sunday. The team was so tired in the last 20 minutes. We have to prepare Sunday and think about this important game for our season on Thursday. In this moment, I don’t know.”
He was subsequently asked about the injury situation at the club and he claimed that Amad could be back before the season while he also claimed Mason Mount would be back soon enough.
The coach claimed Maguire’s injury would need careful planning while Ugarte would also be back quickly along with Kobbie Mainoo.
“I think it’s just Amad and Lisandro but even Amad we will see in the last month. I don’t want to say anything but I have the hope to have Amad before the end of the season.”
On whether he can think of rotating the squad given the injuries he has currently, and next Thursday’s season-defining second leg, former Sporting boss said, “When you are in this kind of club you cannot think like that with a small squad in this moment.
‘We have to survive’
“We are trying to see all the players who are fresh and who are not in danger of getting an injury. Even with that we have to risk a little bit, but we have to be competitive on Sunday.”
“In the Premier League, every game is really important. In our moment, we need to win. It’s always a problem when we don’t win. We have to focus on everything at the same time.
“I think the biggest problem is not having all the players. In the beginning people talk about our rotation, especially in Europe, changing all the time and it’s because of this.”
Given Rasmus Hojlund’s dismal form in front of goal, the coach was asked about the likelihood of Chido Obi starting in the Premier League for the first time.
“If they are training, if they play today, they can be ready and Chido is on the list so he can play.”
Amorim was asked about how Mikel Arteta had to face similar situations initially at Arsenal before he cemented himself at the club.
Dig at Arteta
Amorim took an indirect dig at Arsenal and claimed that he would not get as much time to prove himself as Arteta, while complimenting the Arsenal boss for the way he has handled things at the Gunners.
“I will not have the time Arteta had. I feel that. It’s a different club. So we just need to survive with the players on Sunday and we are doing these games.
“I think it’s a different club. I think in that aspect the way Arteta dealt with that is an inspiration for everybody but I will not have the time like Arteta had.”
United’s big game record under Amorim is impressive and fans will be expecting a better performance on Sunday and will demand changes be made up front. Whether the coach complies will be interesting to see.
Feature image Richard Heathcote via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
