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Ruben Amorim will use younger players in Manchester United’s next three Premier League fixtures as he prioritises the Europa League semi-final against Athletic Bilbao.
United play at Athletic on 1 May and host the return a week later. Matches against Wolves and Bournemouth precede the first leg and United go to Brentford in between the European fixtures.
A thrilling 5-4 extra-time win over Lyon sent United through 7-6 on aggregate and kept alive their hopes of a winning a trophy and qualifying for the Champions League. At least three young players – Harry Amass, Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven – are in line to get more game time than might have been the case.
Amorim brought on the 18-year-old Amass in the 100th minute against Lyon on Thursday for his European debut after giving the defender two Premier League appearances. Obi, a 17-year-old forward, has played three times in the league and once in the FA Cup, and Heaven, an 18-year-old defender, has played twice in the league, once in the FA Cup and once in the Europa League.
Amorim, who is intent on managing his squad to ensure the best chance of reaching the final, has this month included on the bench five other players who have made academy appearances this season: Jaydan Kamason, Godwill Kukonki, Jack Moorhouse, Sekou Koné and the currently injured Toby Collyer.
“It’s not the best moment or the best season to put some kids to play because they need a strong base to really show what they can do, but in this moment we need to do it,” Amorim said. “And sometimes you have surprises. Ayden just played – and I can be honest, because we had a lot of injuries at that moment – but today I think of Ayden as my player. So when he’s ready – and of course he’s facing competition in the team to do so – he’s ready to play, so you don’t know.
“Amass did really well [against Lyon]. Chido, when he played he played quite well. It’s a difficult moment, it’s not the right moment for the kids to play, but if we have to do it we will do it.”
Amorim was asked how much risk he would take with selection. “I have to see,” he said. “Players like [Diogo] Dalot, they are always ready but he was really tired. The guys that are recent to have an injury, we will try to save them.” Players recently back from injury include Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw.
Amorim namechecked Matheus Cunha after saying Wolves, Sunday’s visitors, have “real quality players”. The head coach was asked whether the Brazilian forward, who has 16 goals this season and would welcome a summer move, was a target. “I just gave the example because I remembered about Matheus – he’s scoring a lot of goals,” he said. “Just that.”
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Unrelated family issues led to Noussair Mazraoui being replaced at half-time against Lyon and the substitute Victor Lindelöf also leaving Old Trafford. Amorim said Lindelöf was available to face Wolves and indicated Mazraoui would be too. “Everything is OK now,” he said of Lindelöf. “I know that football is really important but there are things that are more important and then they will be ready to face the next game.”
Amorim called on the supporters to back the team against Wolves. “I know it is a bad thing to ask anything this season from our fans but we need them on Sunday,” he said.
