Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is expected to utilize younger players in the team's upcoming Premier League matches to prioritize the Europa League semi-final against Athletic Bilbao.
Manchester United is scheduled to play Athletic Bilbao on May 1, with the return leg a week later. Prior to the first leg, United will face Wolves and Bournemouth, and will play Brentford between the two European fixtures.
United secured a 5-4 extra-time victory over Lyon, advancing with a 7-6 aggregate score, maintaining their hopes of winning a trophy and qualifying for the Champions League. At least three young players, Harry Amass, Chido Obi, and Ayden Heaven, are expected to receive increased playing time.
In the match against Lyon, Amorim brought on 18-year-old Harry Amass in the 100th minute for his European debut, after previously giving the defender two Premier League appearances. 17-year-old forward Chido Obi has played three times in the league and once in the FA Cup, while 18-year-old defender Ayden Heaven has played twice in the league, once in the FA Cup, and once in the Europa League.
Amorim aims to manage his squad to maximize their chances of reaching the final. This month, he has included five other academy players on the bench who have made appearances this season: Jaydan Kamason, Godwill Kukonki, Jack Moorhouse, Sekou Koné, and the currently injured Toby Collyer.
"It’s not the best moment or the best season to put some kids to play because they need a strong base to really show what they can do, but in this moment we need to do it,” Amorim said. “And sometimes you have surprises. Ayden just played – and I can be honest, because we had a lot of injuries at that moment – but today I think of Ayden as my player. So when he’s ready – and of course he’s facing competition in the team to do so – he’s ready to play, so you don’t know."
"Amass did really well [against Lyon]. Chido, when he played he played quite well. It’s a difficult moment, it’s not the right moment for the kids to play, but if we have to do it we will do it.”
When questioned about the risk he would take with team selection, Amorim stated, "I have to see. Players like [Diogo] Dalot, they are always ready but he was really tired. The guys that are recent to have an injury, we will try to save them." Players recently recovered from injury include Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, and Luke Shaw.
Amorim mentioned Matheus Cunha when noting that Wolves, their upcoming opponents, have "real quality players." When asked if the Brazilian forward, who has scored 16 goals this season and is open to a summer transfer, was a potential target, Amorim clarified, "I just gave the example because I remembered about Matheus – he’s scoring a lot of goals. Just that."
Noussair Mazraoui was substituted at halftime against Lyon due to unrelated family issues, and Victor Lindelöf, who came on as a substitute, also left Old Trafford. Amorim confirmed that Lindelöf is available to play against Wolves and suggested Mazraoui would be as well. "Everything is OK now," he said of Lindelöf. "I know that football is really important but there are things that are more important and then they will be ready to face the next game.”
Amorim urged the supporters to support the team against Wolves, stating, “I know it is a bad thing to ask anything this season from our fans but we need them on Sunday.”
