Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte were both absent from Manchester United training ahead of Thursday’s Europa League last-16 clash against Real Sociedad. The pair had been subbed off during Sunday’s fifth round FA Cup defeat at home to Fulham.
United travel to San Sebastian in the knowledge their only chance of silverware – and likely Champions League qualification – hinges on the Europa League. It comes after the Cottagers defeated Amorim’s side on penalties this weekend to dump the current holders out of the FA Cup.
Despite their domestic struggles this season, the Europa League has provided some respite for Amorim since he arrived from Portuguese outfit Sporting. United finished third in the initial league phase and are still yet to lose in continental competition this term.
But ahead of the trip to Spain, it’s reported by BBC Sport that Maguire and Ugarte had both picked up minor injuries during the weekend defeat and have been forced to sit out of today’s (Wednesday) training session as a result. The issues aren’t believed to be serious, but they’re “unlikely” to be involved in tomorrow’s match against Sociedad.
Maguire had been a doubt heading into the week after he was taken off during extra time of Sunday’s match. Speaking after the Fulham loss over the weekend, Amorim said: “I have to see how Harry Maguire is. It’s a tough moment in that aspect, but we have to move on. We will be a competitive team on Thursday.”
It’s left Amorim with even fewer options to pick from than he had before, with several youngsters called up to United training for Wednesday’s open session. Jack Fletcher, Harry Amass, Jack Moorhouse and James Scanlon were all involved, as Amorim is left contemplating turning to his youngsters for Thursday’s clash.
There was also a return to training for Toby Collyer, who has spent the last month in the treatment room after picking up a knock. He last featured in United’s final match of the league phase, and his comeback will be welcomed by Amorim, given how stretched his midfield options are right now.
United have been handed a mini-boost in their pursuit of a season-salvaging trophy win, given this year there aren’t any Champions League drop-outs in the Europa League. It came as part of UEFA’s format change to European competitions, meaning United – at least on paper – are one of the strongest names left in the competition.
Should they progress beyond La Liga side Sociedad in the last-16, they’ll meet either Lyon (France) or FCSB (Romania) in the quarter-final. Whereas, if they make it as far as the semi-finals, they’ll be treated to a last-four encounter against one of Fenerbahce (Turkey), Rangers (Scotland), Roma (Italy) or Athletic Club (Spain).
