Man Utd take on West Ham in the Premier League on Thursday and Ruben Amorim has discussed his team selection.
Amorim reacted to the team news.(Image: MUTV)
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Ruben Amorim has confirmed Matthijs de Ligt is absent against West Ham due to a minor injury. Bruno Fernandes and Joshua Zirkzee were rumoured to be injury doubts to face West Ham, but both players arrived with the squad and are in the starting XI.
De Ligt was absent, though, which has opened the door for Ayden Heaven to make his first start in the Premier League since playing against Aston Villa on the final day of last season.
Amorim has made another two changes from the victory against Crystal Palace last weekend, with Noussair Mazraoui and Matheus Cunha coming into the side for Leny Yoro and Mason Mount.
The United boss provided an update on De Ligt, telling Sky Sports: "It's a small thing. I expect to have him in the next game [against Wolves on Monday]. The rest of the guys are ready."
Yoro conceded a penalty against Palace and looked disappointed on the bench when he was substituted before the hour mark. Amorim was asked why the Frenchman had been benched and responded: "As a manager, we need to think about everything.
"I spoke to Leny, not about leaving him out but about the message. He is so disappointed, but it is a tactical issue. It is a clear option and a tactical option. Today we need to win, no matter what."
De Ligt was named United's player of the month for November, and he was the only United player to have played every minute in the Premier League this season until this evening.
United are ninth in the Premier League but can move up to fifth with a victory against West Ham.