Manchester United have opted against naming the biggest squad possible for their Europa League clash against Real Sociedad which means they’ll be without five substitutes on the bench
Manchester United have opted against naming an additional five players in their matchday squad for this week’s Europa League clash.
The Red Devils head to Spain to take on Real Sociedad and will travel with 18 players, despite competition rules allowing them to have up to 12 players on the bench. Ruben Amorim though will settle for just seven, some of which are youngsters, as he continues to deal with injury woes.
The Europa League has become the only hope of silverware this term after Fulham dumped United out of the FA Cup at the weekend. Sociedad will provide stern opposition and United won’t maximise their resources on Thursday night.
The team have been impacted by more injury issues after losing both Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte during the week. Lisandro Martinez is a long-term absentee but the latest setbacks mean the United backline is set to be weakened further.
Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount are all continuing their recovery from injury meaning Amorim has had to name several young players in his squad, many of whom lack experience. The likes of Ayden Heaven, Harry Amass and Toby Collyer will all be named, either to start or as substitutes.
There are also a lack of goals in this United side. No player in the entire club has yet hit double figures this season and Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee will again have to lead the line in San Sebastian.
Despite their obvious struggles in domestic football United have won their last five games in the Europa League, which meant they qualified in the top eight. The Manchester outfit have a strong history in this tournament, winning it in 2017 and reaching the final in 2021.
Lifting the trophy come the final, hosted at San Mames, will also be the only route United have into the Champions League with the team languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League.
Amorim’s side are in the same half of the draw as the likes of Lyon, Athletic Bilbao, Rangers and Fenerbahce – the latter two they’ve already played in the league phase, taking four points from those two games.
Man Utd’s travelling squad
Goalkeepers: Andre Onana, Elyh Harrison, Dermot Mee.
Defenders: Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Ayden Heaven, Victor Lindelof, Leny Yoro, Patrick Dorgu, Harry Amass.
Midfielders: Casemiro, Toby Collyer, Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes.
Attackers: Alejandro Garnacho, Joshua Zirkzee, Rasmus Hojlund.
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