Wednesday 05 March 2025 18:35
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Ruben Amorim has explained that he is not willing to take any risks on the fitness of Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte.
Both players sustained knocks in the Emirates FA Cup tie against Fulham on Sunday and did not train with the main group at Carrington, in advance of the flight to Spain for Thursday's Europa League round-of-16 first leg at Real Sociedad.
They were subsequently left out of the 18-man travelling squad for the 17:45 GMT kick-off and, although the competition is so important in the context of our season, the head coach is not gambling on the pair, with Arsenal to come at the weekend in the Premier League, before the second leg of this tie at Old Trafford.
"Small things," he said of their injuries, with both withdrawn during the penalty shootout defeat to the Cottagers.
"So we are being careful with them because, in this moment, we cannot allow us to lose more players for a long time. We are taking care of them in Carrington and they cannot play this game because it will be a greater risk."
Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton, Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount are continuing their individual rehabilitation programmes but Lisandro Martinez, Kobbie Mainoo and Amad are currently sidelined.
Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu is free from suspension in the Europa League but Chido Obi is not in the squad as he is ineligible. Harry Amass has been selected in the travelling party.
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The hosts have confirmed their squad for the encounter, with key midfielder Martin Zubimendi included after training this week. He had limped out of the 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in La Liga at the weekend.
Takefusa Kubo is also available again and former West Ham United defender Nayef Aguerd is a familiar face at the back.
Coach Imanol Alguacil commented: "United are a great team in Europe, with a great history, and that we are able to face them these years is a positive thing.
"They have a great team, with a great coach. In the league they are not having results but, in play, they are doing things well, different. Tomorrow, I expect a tough opponent, not because of their history, but because of their players. It will be very difficult and we will have to give everything to compete.
"If someone has us as favourites, they don’t know what football is and what we have in front of us. Despite the injuries they have, they have great players, and I am not going to lack respect for a team like this."
Wednesday 05 March 2025 18:35
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