Manchester United will continue in the pursuit of lifting the Europa League on Thursday with a crucial clash with Real Sociedad.
This season has been a disaster domestically for Manchester United.
Under the management of Ineos for the first campaign, United are out of the FA Cup, League Cup and sits 14 points off the top four in the Premier League.
In contrary to this form, Europe has been a happy place for the Red Devils and after eight games in the Europa League, United are unbeaten with five wins and three draws.
However, this will all count for nothing if United cannot get past Real Sociedad in the round of 16, with the first leg in Spain on Thursday.
So with this tie so important to United’s season, finances and also to Ruben Amorim – it raised eyebrows when he named just 18 players out of a possible 23-man squad to travel.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Why Ruben Amorim didn’t name academy players in Manchester United squad
On Wednesday afternoon, United announced an 18-player squad travelling to face Sociedad. This is five less than the maximum amount.
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In training, prior to the squad list being confirmed, United had several academy players in the session hoping to be included in the trip over to San Sebastian.
Ultimately four of the youngsters missed out with Amorim not bringing enough players to fill the bench.
Now, Amorim has explained this decision as he was asked during his press conference which was shown on MUTV.
“I am trying to manage everything, it is a big step for them. I am trying to think about every aspect. I am not thinking about what it will look like with their friends and the media.
“We know that bringing some players is a big step and we are taking care of the expectations of the kids.”
Amorim’s decision is understandable as he likely wants to avoid bringing players who aren’t ready into a pressure cooker and high-stakes European away tie.
However, he has shot himself in the foot with practically no options in the attacking department.
Why Chido Obi wasn’t registered by Manchester United
One player who absolutely would have travelled was Chido Obi, with the teenager firmly part of the first team now. However, Obi was not registered by United for the Europa League.
This is because having joined last year, Obi isn’t eligible to be included in the squad as a U21 player on the B-list and would have had to be registered.
Now, Amorim has explained why Obi wasn’t registered in the squad for the rest of the Europa League campaign.
“It was a different context in that moment. It was completely different and we chose different players.”
At the time of registration – which was following the January transfer window, Obi was not a first-team player and Amorim could not have foreseen the impact he would have on the senior side.
It is however frustrating as now United head to face Sociedad with three attackers to occupy three positions, leaving no option or room for change in Amorim’s team.