Ruben Amorim’s first game in charge of Manchester United did not go as planned with injury issues forcing the Portuguese to select a far-from ideal starting XI against Ipswich Town.
The former Sporting Lisbon boss had to pick Jonny Evans on the left-side of a back three with Noussair Mazraoui playing on the right.
Ideally, he would have employed a left-footed defender on the left side and a pacey centre-back like Leny Yoro on the right with the Moroccan having the freedom to play as a wingback.
Ahead of Thursday’s Europa League test against Bodo/Glimt, the 39-year-old head coach will be pleased to see two injury absentees return to training.
Injury update
As revealed by The Manchester Evening News‘ Samuel Luckhurst, Harry Maguire, who last featured against Aston Villa in the Premier League, was spotted back in training alongside Lisandro Martinez.
The World Cup winner had sustained an injury against Leicester City in interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy’s final game in charge and had returned from international duty early to assess the issue.
Maguire and Martinez welcomed back into training #mufc pic.twitter.com/y5tsh02ctq
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) November 27, 2024
This is not confirmation that both will feature from the start against the Norwegian team but they could possibly make the squad for the league game against Everton at the weekend.
Both were not part of Amorim’s first matchday squad and the Englishman, in particular, could take further time to make his return considering the prolonged period of absence.
You can watch the full training video here: https://t.co/bu1ff1BHOq
— BeanymanSports (@BeanymanSports) November 27, 2024
Both will be welcome returns with the Argentine likely to slot into the left-sided centre-back role while Maguire could excel in the centre. The former captain has experience of playing in a back three for the country, and excelled in that role.
Yoro not in training
The MEN also revealed that Yoro was not present in training. The Frenchman has trained under the 39-year-old but Wednesday was supposedly his recovery day.
“Leny Yoro not training as he’s got a designated recovery day. Not taking part in every training session yet,” Luckhurst’s update on X read.
The Peoples Person has already relayed that the club is being extra careful with the 19-year-old’s rehabilitation so as to avoid any further complications following a summer surgery.
In case, the trio do not make it for Amorim’s first home game, the coach is mulling ove
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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
