United manager contemplates team rotation prior to Brentford match as squad focuses on European glory
Europa League To The Forefront
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is ready to make drastic decisions prior to Sunday's Premier League fixture against Brentford. Having his foot in the door for a Europa League final, Amorim has already indicated that he is focused on winning trophies and a route to the Champions League.
United's 3-0 win on the road against Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of the semi-final has greatly boosted them. The final, scheduled for May 21, will see them play either Tottenham Hotspur or Bodo/Glimt.
Poor Domestic Form Necessitates Strategic Choices
While the Europa League offers hope for redemption, United's past Premier League history has been deplorable. They sit at 14th place with 39 points through 34 matches—one of their worst seasons of all time.
Amorim knows that Sunday's trip to Brentford is not his best time to be there, and he also is not unwilling to acknowledge he may have to sacrifice points in exchange for more.
Amorim: "We Have to Take a Risk"
"We always have a duty, but right now, we have to take a risk," Amorim said. "There are places where we don't have players to fill them. Nous Mazraouz, for example, is close to injury, so we'll deal with that gingerly."
He went on, "We need to know the context. Our priority is keeping players whole and being as competitive as possible."
Young Talent Called Up for Depth
United's 26-man squad for the trip to Spain for the first leg being an extended one is a hint towards likely usage of youth players this weekend. Young talents Sekou Kone (19), Chido Obi (17), Bendito Mantato (17), Jaydan Kamason (18), and last weekend's debutant Tyler Fredricson (20) are part of the setup.
A few of them would not be allowed to feature in Europa League fixtures, but them being included shows the intent of Amorim to rotate comprehensively for the Brentford tie.
Dangerous Players Will Be Kept Safe
Amorim guaranteed that no one who is at risk of injury will play. "The players at risk of injury won't play — full stop," he insisted. "From there, we'll assess who's best to begin with."
Despite the modifications, Amorim promised that United's winning spirit needs to be preserved: "We're still Manchester United, and we never go into a match without believing we can win."
Injury Concerns and Player News
Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt can be managed with care after their return from injury in the Bilbao match. Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez, and Joshua Zirkzee are still out, while Ayden Heaven and Toby Collyer are injured as well.
Casemiro's Return Praised
Amorim also praised veteran midfielder Casemiro, who scored in Thursday’s match. “You can see his improvement — not just in his play, but in his movement and work rate,” Amorim said. “We’ve got the data to prove how hard he’s been working.”
Looking Ahead
While Manchester United prepare to face Brentford, Amorim's decisions will be influenced by a general strategy: protect key players, keep eyes on the Europa League, and continue to play with honor in the Premier League.
