Amorim has failed to improve Man Utd's league fortunesAmorim has failed to improve Man Utd's league fortunes
Amorim has failed to improve Man Utd's league fortunes | Getty Images
Manchester United have been handed an injury blow ahead of their upcoming games with Chelsea and Tottenham.
Manchester United were dealt an injury blow ahead of their Premier League clash with Chelsea on Friday night and their upcoming Europa League final with Tottenham. The Red Devils continued their Premier League struggles on Sunday, losing 2-0 at home to fellow strugglers West Ham United.
Ruben Amorim’s men are now 16th, just two places above the relegation zone, although they are, of course, not in danger of relegation despite not yet reaching the 40-point mark. For United, the season is now about the Europa League final after they defeat Athletic Club to book their spot in the Bilbao showpiece, facing Tottenham in the final.
That final is on May 21, and many of Amorim’s players will be desperate to stay fit for that game, where there will be more than just silverware available. United can also qualify for the Champions League by winning that final, a prize Tottenham are also desperate for having endured an equally disastrous league campaign, currently below the Red Devils by a point and unable to surpass their worst-ever Premier League points tally of 44, currently on 38 points.
Not only will Tottenham be looking at the fitness of United players ahead of the May 21 final, Chelsea will also be keeping an eye, given they host Amorim’s men at Stamford Bridge on Friday night.
Chelsea are already at an advantage on Friday night, with United likely to rest some of their key players. With the Red Devils having the Europa League final just five days later, on the Wednesday night, they are not likely to jeopardise their star men for what is a meaningless Premier League game for them.
But in a fresh blow for United, they may have lost defender Leny Yoro not only for the Chelsea game, but also for the final. Yoro came off with 50th minute, and he looked devastated when being forced off for Harry Maguire. We don’t yet know how serious the injury is, but the player’s reaction may provide a clue. As far as Chelsea are concerned, it’s almost certain Yoro will not be risked even if he does recover, while Tottenham will have to wait and see whether the defender does recover in time for the final.
Amorim said of Yoro after the game: “We have to assess Leny in a better way tomorrow. He felt something, but it could be a small thing."
On the upcoming Europa League final, he added: “We are going to face a team from Premier League so we are going to struggle. Of course we are going to be more focused, and that is a concern because we have to be focused every game. For me, it doesn't matter if we win the Europa League because the problems are much bigger than that."
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