Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has dropped a significant selection clue ahead of the UEFA Europa League final showdown with Tottenham Hotspur on May 21.
The Red Devils could be without three central defenders for their season-defining clash with Spurs.
Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, and Ayden Heaven are all nursing injuries and face a tense race to be fit in time for Bilbao.
Yoro, who started the recent 2–0 defeat to West Ham United, was forced off at half-time after picking up a foot problem.
Luke Shaw, deployed on the left side of a back three, was also substituted as a precaution.
Speaking to the media, Amorim admitted he took Shaw off to protect him for the future.
He said (via ManUtd.com): “It was clear we cannot take a risk with several players. That was to save [him], especially in that kind of position.”
Shaw has only just returned from a lengthy injury layoff, prompting Amorim to carefully manage his minutes.
The 29-year-old has played a full 90 minutes only once since February 2024.
In the absence of Lisandro Martinez, Yoro had emerged as the favourite to fill the left centre-back role.
However, his injury setback could now see Shaw handed a high-stakes start in Bilbao.
The £14 million-rated star has struggled with recurring injuries over the past two seasons.
While Shaw still possesses the vision to play sharp, progressive passes, his fitness woes have severely limited his impact at United.
The fact that 19-year-old Yoro had leapfrogged him in the pecking order underscores just how far Shaw’s stock has fallen.
Still, the England international has plenty of experience facing Spurs and will be eager to rise to the occasion if called upon.
With Champions League qualification and silverware on the line, United must leave nothing to chance in Bilbao.
Securing Champions League football will be key to attracting top players and boosting their transfer purse.
Amorim’s men travel to Stamford Bridge for a tough league clash against Chelsea tomorrow.
We believe Amorim could hand Shaw a start at left centre-back but may opt to withdraw him at half-time to preserve his fitness for the final.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com