Manchester United only have four fit centre-backs to face Real SociedadManchester United only have four fit centre-backs to face Real Sociedad
Manchester United only have four fit centre-backs to face Real Sociedad | Getty Images
Man Utd face a huge test when they take on Real Sociedad in the Europa League tonight.
A selection of Manchester United fans have urged Ruben Amorim to give Ayden Heaven another chance when they face Real Sociedad in a crucial Europa League tie tonight. United face the La Liga side in the second leg of their last 16 clash, with the teams level following a 1-1 draw in Spain a week ago.
United head into the match with a defensive injury crisis to contend with after both Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire were ruled out of action by Amorim. They are already without Lisandro Martinez, Jonny Evans and Luke Shaw, which means they only have four senior centre-backs to choose from on Thursday night.
Matthijs de Ligt is certain to start as one of three centre-backs, with Noussair Mazraoui also likely to be selected. It leaves Victor Lindelof and Heaven vying for the final place in the United starting line up against Sociedad, with the other likely to be named on the bench.
Manchester United fans want Ayden Heaven to start
Manchester World polled 935 Manchester United supporters on the defensive injury crisis ahead of the clash against Real Sociedad, with a staggering 80.8 percent of them voting in favour of Ayden Heaven starting the match. The 18-year-old shone when he replaced Leny Yoro on his Premier League debut against former side Arsenal and it seems like a lot of fans would love to see him given a first start for the club tonight.
69.4 percent of those who voted did so in favour of Heaven and Noussair Mazraoui joining Matthijs de Ligt in central defence, while 11.4 percent wanted to see the teenager partner Victor Linedlof and De Ligt. The second most popular choice was an experienced backline of De Ligt, Mazraoui and Lindelof, which was voted for by 19.2 percent of participants.
In reply to the poll posted on social media, one fan responded: "Heaven was outstanding - can’t wait to see how he plays with Yoro and an experienced CB partner. We’d have speed and athleticism at the back at last!" while another added: "Would love to see Heaven again." Even though many fans would love to see Heaven start, most expect Lindelof to get the nod instead. Another fan replied: "Would love to see Heaven, but we’ll probably see Lindelof."
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