Amorim has some huge decisions to make
Amorim has some huge decisions to make
A major European final probably isn't the time to start tinkering with your preferred starting XI, but Ruben Amorim might be about to make a selection call nobody saw coming.
A couple of weeks ago it felt as though Manchester United's starting XI for the Europa League final was nailed on, with Kobbie Mainoo perhaps the only player who could complicate matters if he could prove to Amorim he was worthy of a place in his best team.
A couple of defensive injuries picked up in dead rubber Premier League fixtures mean Amorim's starting XI in Bilbao is no longer quite so predictable. But the most surprising selection decision he could be set to make hasn't been influenced by injuries in the slightest.
Alejandro Garnacho has played in every United game so far this season bar the Manchester derby in December, where he and Marcus Rashford were dropped.
The youngster's reaction to being left out of the victorious derby day squad must be commended, and he's gone on to become a key member of Amorim's squad in the months following that omission, despite being asked to play in a No.10 position with very different demands to his natural role as a winger.
However, his role as a substitute in the two games United have played since confirming their place in the final of the Europa League has felt telling.
Amorim has been keen to offer some of his players a rest between the second leg victory over Athletic Bilbao and the final against Spurs on Wednesday. But the United head coach has maintained he wants his side to build momentum and so all of his available key men have started at least one of the defeats to West Ham and Chelsea. Suddenly Garnacho's place in Wednesday's starting team doesn't look quite so assured.
Mason Mount enjoyed his finest night in a United shirt when his brilliant cameo saw him bag a brace to ease any fears that United could throw away their lead against Athletic at Old Trafford. The former Chelsea man has gone on to start both of the following games, playing an hour against West Ham and a further 70 minutes at Stamford Bridge.
Amorim has made no secret of his "love" for Mount and it feels as though he might be getting back up to speed in time to pencil his name in the manager's starting XI plans.
A few months ago you'd have had Garnacho down a certain starter in United's biggest game in years. Amorim might be about to spring a surprise.
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