Manchester United will be without both Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt on Friday against Chelsea.
With less than a week until Manchester United will be at San Mames stadium in Bilbao for the Europa League final, Friday’s clash with Chelsea could easily become an afterthought.
This is because United are on a seven-game winless streak in the Premier League, however, Ruben Amorim has admitted that things are different in the Europa League. After 14 games in the competition, United remain unbeaten, which is a feat no other club has managed in Europe.
But before final preparations can start, Amorim must get something against Chelsea to avoid finishing 17th in the league table. Ahead of Friday, Amorim admitted he would field a strong team against the Blues, citing sharpness as the reason, with players like Casemiro not playing since Athletic Club last Thursday.
Amorim will have to be cautious of his squad sustaining further injuries, after Leny Yoro picked up an injury against West Ham. The Frenchman is fighting to be fit, but now Amorim has a replacement against Chelsea.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Ayden Heaven returns for Manchester United vs Chelsea
Amorim confirmed that Yoro was not going to be ready to face Chelsea, while all signs pointed to Ayden Heaven also being absent.
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Heaven was not in open training with his teammates on Wednesday, yet when the squad was spotted travelling to London on Thursday, he was with the 21-man group.
Goalkeepers: Andre Onana, Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton
Defenders: Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Ayden Heaven, Tyler Fredricson, Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu, Harry Amass
Midfielders: Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Christian Eriksen, Toby Collyer, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes
Attackers: Amad, Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund
This return is a big boost for United’s defensive group against Chelsea and also hands Heaven a huge opportunity.
Ayden Heaven could catapult himself into the Europa League final starting XI
With Yoro and De Ligt not 100 per cent likely to be fit for the final, there is potentially a place in the starting line-up to play for in Bilbao.
With Harry Maguire and Noussair Mazraoui likely nailed down at the moment, the left centre-back role could potentially be just waiting for Heaven to step into.
If he plays against Chelsea and impresses, Amorim could be tempted to throw him in against Spurs. Heaven has been flawless for United since arriving mid-season, with Manuel Ugarte lauding the 18-year-old.
Heaven also won a fan in Rio Ferdinand thanks to his brilliant performance against Arsenal back in March.
Arsenal may rue the sale of Heaven for just £1.5m, but if he starts the Europa League final and is key in preventing Spurs from winning, they will surely see it as money well spent.