Manchester United are “expected” to be unable to include Matthijs de Ligt in their Europa League final squad after the 25-year-old defender missed first-team training today, according to a reporter.
Mark Critchley (The Athletic) reveals De Ligt took part in “individual work” away from Ruben Amorim’s squad as the Portuguese coach oversaw their final session before travelling to Bilbao today.
The Red Devils face a season-defining clash against Tottenham Hotspur at the Estadio de San Mamés – a side they have already lost three times to this season.
The winner of tomorrow night’s final will receive a trophy and, more importantly, automatic qualification into next season’s Champions League.
And with the two rivals having endured abysmal domestic campaigns, with United languished in 16th place in the Premier League table and Spurs in 17th, this constitutes a last-gasp chance for either team to salvage success.
Amorim is set to welcome back Diogo Dalot, Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee for the trip to Bilbao with all three spotted in full training today, after absences through injury.
But it appears De Ligt will only make the journey in a supportive capacity as the Dutch international is “not expected to be named as part of squad” according to Critchley.
Matthijs de Ligt doing individual work on a separate pitch
De Ligt not expected to be named as part of squad but will travel to Bilbao for final pic.twitter.com/4V8XjZ6fBH
— Mark Critchley (@mjcritchley) May 20, 2025
Tweet: “Matthijs de Ligt doing individual work on a separate pitch. De Ligt not expected to be named as part of squad but will travel to Bilbao for final.”
De Ligt suffered an injury in the 4-3 loss to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on May 4 after challenging Bees striker Yoana Wissa and landing awkwardly.
There had initially been hope it wasn’t a serious injury and Amorim had suggested De Ligt remained a possibility for the final in Spain.
But it appears to have a week too early as despite being fit enough to engage in a one-on-one session, the centre-back is not ready for full contact training yet.
This means Harry Maguire will start at the heart of the Red Devils’ defence, while Amorim will be assessing whether Yoro is fit enough to start alongside the England international, and if Dalot is ready to play at right wing-back to enable Noussair Mazraoui to move into the back three.
Featured image Richard Heathcote via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
