One Manchester United star could receive his Europa League debut in the club’s all-important Europa League clash against Real Sociedad this week.
Manchester United will take on Real Sociedad in the second leg of their Europa League round-of-16 tie this Thursday after drawing
With their Premier League campaign faltering, winning the Europa League remains United’s best chance of securing both silverware and European football for next season.
Ruben Amorim’s side remain unbeaten in the competition and delivered a commanding performance in the first leg in San Sebastián. However, despite their dominance, United only managed to secure a 1-1 draw after Sociedad were awarded a controversial penalty.
The decisive clash will take place at Old Trafford this week, with both teams grappling with injury concerns ahead of the crucial encounter.
Brilliant Heaven may receive Europa League debut
United are extremely weak in the backline. Harry Maguire’s fitness levels are questionable after missing the last two games.
Meanwhile, Leny Yoro suffered a foot injury last time out and has been ruled out of the upcoming game against Sociedad, which fans have described as a “gutting” setback.
Should the pair of them be out of action, Amorim will be thinking carefully about who comes into the backline alongside Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt.
It was Victor Lindelöf who started the latest Premier League clash against Arsenal but 18-year-old Ayden Heaven earned praise from United fans after his cameo. He came on for Yoro at half-time.
The teenager joined the club in the January window from The Gunners and looked more than prepared for the level when he faced his former side.
Amorim has included Heaven in the updated Europa League squad list and the youngster could be set to make his debut after that “brilliant” performance on the weekend.
Amorim’s comments on Heaven
Heaven is a natural left-footed player and is very comfortable on the ball. Those aspects could be useful for United as they look to dominate the game against their La Liga counterpart.
Amorim praised the teenager after his display on the weekend but did also hint that he needs to be more aware in and out of possession.
“Ayden’s so relaxed. He seems so relaxed that sometimes he’s too relaxed,” Amorim said after the 1-1 draw.
Read More: Real Sociedad suffer major Europa League blow as two stars absent from training, another set to return vs Man Utd
“But I think we have a player there, so now we have to control and to tell him that was just the game, et cetera, et cetera.”
It may be a big decision for the Portuguese boss to introduce Heaven to the lineup in this game, but his attributes make it a definite argument against Lindelöf, who fans are still not convinced about after eight seasons.
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