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Friday 07 March 2025 13:30
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim admits he will try not risk the fitness of his players in Sunday’s Premier League game against Arsenal.
The Reds travelled back from Spain after a 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad sets things up for an intriguing Europa League round-of-16 second leg at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Amorim spoke to journalists at the Reale Arena before boarding the plane and was asked about team news for the 16:30 GMT kick-off against the Gunners.
While admitting Chido Obi is an option to play against his former club, having not been eligible on Thursday, Ruben was clear that he will have to properly assess his squad in the build-up to the game against Mikel Arteta’s men, who hit PSV Eindhoven for seven in the Champions League on Tuesday.
When asked if any of the missing players, such as Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte, would be available, Amorim replied: “I don’t know. I don’t know. We need to survive Sunday. The team was so tired in the last 20 minutes.
“We have to prepare for Sunday and then think about this important game in our season on Thursday. But, in this moment, I don’t know.
“Everybody can start. If they are training tomorrow [Friday], if they played today [Thursday], they can be ready. Chido is on the list, so he can play
“We are trying to see all the players that are fresh and that are not in danger of getting an injury. Even that, we have to risk a little but we have to be competitive on Sunday.”
Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu serves the second of his three-match domestic suspension but Toby Collyer made his comeback from injury as a late substitute.
When pushed on whether anyone could return at the weekend, the head coach repeated: “I don’t know. I don’t think so, so we’ll see.”
However, he did provide a little more detail on the current situation when asked if some of the absentees may not return this season.
“I think it’s just Amad [and Lisandro Martinez],” he stated. “Even Amad, we’ll see in the end of the last month. I don’t want to say anything to you but I have the hope to have Amad before, we’ll see.
Press conference v Arsenal Video
Press conference v Arsenal
Press conference | Ruben is asked about injuries, goalscoring, the right to protest and Sunday’s match against Arsenal…
“Lisandro is out,” he emphasised. “Kobbie [Mainoo] can return. The rest, my worry is we have to be careful. Manu [Ugarte] will return. I think Luke Shaw and Mason Mount can return also. We’ll see but they are definitely going to return, especially Mason Mount.”
Goalkeepers Tom Heaton and Altay Bayindir have been out injured, with Dermot Mee and Elyh Harrison selected on the bench against Real Sociedad.
Jonny Evans has also not played since scoring in the Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham Hotspur before Christmas.
ARSENAL’S TEAM NEWS
Gabriel Jesus suffered an anterior-cruciate ligament injury during the cup tie with the Reds at the Emirates Stadium and is a long-term absentee.
Bukayo Saka is still working on his rehabilitation, as is fellow winger Gabriel Martinelli.
Kai Havertz and Takehiro Tomiyasu are both out for the remainder of the campaign.
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Friday 07 March 2025 13:30
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