Significant plans are being formulated for the future of Manchester United; however, at present, Ruben Amorim’s squad is confronted with what may be the most crucial match of the season as they host Real Sociedad later today.
With the Europa League now representing the only viable path to European qualification for the upcoming season, advancing in this tournament is of utmost importance. The match is delicately balanced following last week’s 1-1 draw in San Sebastian.
During that encounter, United suffered due to their inability to convert chances, ultimately conceding a late penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal. This lack of efficiency was also evident in their recent match against Arsenal, which ended in a draw.
Having managed to score only one goal in each of their last three matches across all competitions, the Red Devils, supported by a hopeful Old Trafford crowd, must rediscover their scoring form.
Regrettably for Amorim, the Portuguese manager will face limited options once again when it comes to selecting his team.
Man Utd team news
Following the FA Cup match against Fulham, it was reported that 17-year-old striker Chido Obi is not eligible to participate in continental competitions, as he was omitted from United’s Europa League roster. In contrast, fellow teenager Ayden Heaven is available for selection after being included in the club’s ‘A’ list.
The team’s lack of attacking options has become apparent following Amad’s injury last month. However, the United manager hinted that the Ivorian might make a return before the season concludes.
Additionally, tonight’s match is expected to be too early for players such as Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw, and Mason Mount, although Mount is resuming first-team training.
In other news, Amorim has confirmed that Harry Maguire will not be available, as he has been absent since the encounter with Fulham. Nevertheless, he may be fit to return for the upcoming match against his former club, Leicester City.
Regarding centre-backs, Leny Yoro is also unavailable after sustaining an injury and leaving the field at half-time in the previous match. On a brighter note, Manuel Ugarte, who has been sidelined since the FA Cup game, is included in the squad, as stated by Amorim.
While the ongoing absences may lead to a relatively consistent lineup, particularly in defense, the former Sporting CP manager may consider making a significant change in the attacking front.
Why Amorim must drop Joshua Zirkzee
Given that Joshua Zirkzee was the one to score first last week, it may appear audacious to relegate the Dutch player to the bench. However, it might be prudent to consider utilizing him in the second half instead.
Alejandro Garnacho recently delivered what his manager described as his “best game” under Amorim, while Rasmus Hojlund has demonstrated a commendable performance in the Europa League this season, having scored five goals during the league phase. This suggests that the young duo should once again lead the attack together.
Zirkzee could potentially fill the final position in this attacking trio, replacing Christian Eriksen. However, given the limited options among senior forwards, Amorim may prefer to retain at least one impactful player on the bench.
Moreover, as evidenced by his performance on Sunday, Zirkzee is not currently suited to start as the primary number nine ahead of Hojlund. The 23-year-old was substituted late in the match after losing possession ten times from just 23 touches and winning only one of his seven duels, according to Sofascore.
With Hojlund—who may have been given a slight rest over the weekend—possessing the speed to challenge the Sociedad defense, Zirkzee could serve as a valuable option to introduce later in the game.
| Europa League top scorers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player (Club) | Games | Goals |
| Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiakos) | 8 | 7 |
| Malick Fofana (Lyon) | 8 | 6 |
| Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray) | 7 | 6 |
| Vaclav Cerny (Rangers) | 9 | 6 |
| Kasper Hogh (Bodo/Glimt) | 9 | 6 |
| Barnabas Varga (Ferencvaros) | 8 | 6 |
| Youssef En-Nesyri (Fenerbahce) | 11 | 6 |
| Samu Omorodion (Porto) | 9 | 6 |
| Rasmus Hojlund (Man Utd) | 9 | 5 |
| Yunus Akgun (Galatasaray) | 8 | 5 |
| Stats via TNT | ||
Certainly, there appears to be strategic merit in Amorim’s decision to introduce Toby Collyer later today, particularly given the Englishman’s notable impact as a substitute against Arsenal, where he assisted Hojlund with a skillful pull-back.
The former Brighton and Hove Albion prospect could serve as an unexpected choice in a more forward position, or he might effectively partner with the veteran Casemiro, allowing Bruno Fernandes to return to one of the two attacking midfield roles.
Regardless of the formation, Collyer’s dynamism and enthusiasm could prove essential as United aim to assert themselves against the LaLiga team from the outset. His former youth coach, Mark Beard, has likened the 21-year-old to N’Golo Kanté, citing his “astronomical” running statistics.
This Kanté-like attribute was evident in his performance against Mikel Arteta’s squad, where he achieved a perfect record in ground duels and maintained 100% pass accuracy, demonstrating his capacity to cover significant ground while ensuring possession remains secure.
Such added athleticism could enable players like Fernandes and Garnacho to focus more on their offensive roles, while also compensating for any deficiencies in Casemiro’s performance. The Brazilian still deserves a starting position following a promising last match, in which he won a total of 12 duels.
This bold selection would provide Amorim with options such as Zirkzee, Eriksen, and the returning Ugarte to influence the game, as United pursue a crucial result in what has otherwise been a challenging season.
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