Amad and Matthijs de Ligt are back in the Man United squad after lengthy absences through injury.
Amad and Matthijs de Ligt will not start for Manchester United in their Europa League semi-final first leg against Athletic Bilbao.
The pair returned to team training on the eve of United’s away tie in the Basque Country but will be named as substitutes in the San Mames stadium.
Amad has been sidelined for two-and-a-half months with an ankle injury while De Ligt has missed seven games with a foot problem.
United have taken a larger squad than usual as they will stay overnight on Thursday evening and train in Bilbao on Friday before their 2pm kick-off at Brentford in the Premier League on Sunday.
“To start, no, but they can be on the squad for the game and the rest of the players,” United coach Ruben Amorim said.
“We have a game tomorrow and then we have to train here Friday so we need to prepare not just for this game, play this game but also prepare for the next game against Brentford. We took a lot of especially young kids to prepare for the next game.”
Jaydan Kamason, Tyler Fredricson, Harry Amass, Sekou Kone and Chido Obi are among the academy players who have travelled to Bilbao.
United are playing in their fourth Europa League semi-final in eight years, having failed to reach the last four of the Champions League since 2011.
Victory in the Europa League would secure Champions League football next season for the Premier League’s 14th-placed team. Amorim reiterated the importance of the only competition that offers United salvation.
“Not just the team but the fans, you guys also, everybody knows it’s really important for our season,” Amorim added.
“We know nothing is going to save our season but this can be huge. Winning a trophy, getting in the Champions League to play European games next year could change a lot of things in our club in the summer.”
Amorim also dismissed any criticism of a bottom-half United or Tottenham winning the competition. Spurs are 16th heading into their semi-final with Bobo/Glimt.
“I think it’s the rules, it’s hard to talk about that,” Amorim added.
“Maybe you can say it’s not fair because the best teams, the champions, should be in the Champions League. But you have this competition to give value to this competition, it’s like one cup in our league. If you win the cup you go to European games. It’s the rules.
“I don’t know if it’s fair or not but if there is that possibility we have to try and reach it.”
Amorim was at a loss why United’s Europa League form is so much better than their Premier League form. United have scored 12 goals in their four knockout ties so far yet have mustered 12 goals in their past 12 Premier League fixtures.
“I don’t know in that department,” Amorim shrugged. “Because we had some games that we didn’t create situations but it’s not the case in the last games.
“When we stop for national teams we had against Nottingham situations, against Wolverhampton and Arsenal at our home. We are creating the chances but we are not scoring goals and sometimes you don’t have an explanation for that to happen.
“So if you create situations, you are near to scoring goal, in the Europa League we are scoring more than in the league. I don’t have a big explanation for that.”
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2025-04-30 17:36:07
