Victor Lindelof and Patrick Dorgu will return to the Manchester United starting lineup against Real Sociedad for the UEFA Europa League tie at the Real Arena on Thursday.
Manchester United will be eager to return to winning ways and get a step closer to the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals when they lock horns with Real Sociedad in the first leg of the round of 16 at the Reale Arena on Thursday evening. However, Ruben Amorim has new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte picked up minor injuries this past weekend in the FA Cup fifth-round tie with Fulham. The duo is not in the travelling squad to face Real Sociedad, with Amorim taking only 18 players to Spain.
Maguire and Ugarte accompany Altay Bayindir (unspecified), Tom Heaton (knock), Jonny Evans (lower back), Lisandro Martinez (knee), Luke Shaw (calf), Toby Collyer (muscle), Kobbie Mainoo (muscle), Mason Mount (hamstring), and Amad Diallo (ankle) on the sidelines. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Amorim provided a fitness update on Maguire and Ugarte.
The Manchester United manager said, “Small things. 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.”
Meanwhile, Amorim also spoke about taking a thin squad to Spain, saying, “When I put the squad, I see the players that I have that train with us and then I imagine the substitutions. That’s why I sometimes call it one or two. Then I’m trying to see if they train with us. Then I’m trying to see if they come here to play or be on the bench, for you guys to be seeing a lot of youth. I’m trying to manage everything.”
The Manchester United boss continued, “I know it’s a big step for them. I’m trying to cope with everything. When I do my squad, I’m trying to think about every aspect, of the formation of the kid, of the squad and not if it will look really well with the fans and the media.”
Andre Onana will take his spot between the sticks, with Manchester United lining up in a 3-4-2-1 formation in front of him against Real Sociedad on Thursday. The central defensive unit should feature Matthijs de Ligt, Victor Lindelof, and Leny Yoro. Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dorgu will likely start as the two wing-backs, with Noussair Mazraoui getting some rest.
As for the midfield unit, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen should pair up in the middle of the park. Finally, Joshua Zirkzee will spearhead the away side’s attack against Real Sociedad, with Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho being the two creative attackers.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; de Ligt, Lindelof, Yoro; Dalot, Casemiro, Eriksen, Dorgu; Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho; Zirkzee