Amad & De Ligt to return: Luckhurst confirms early team news for Brentford as Amorim plots ‘wholesale’ changes | OneFootball

Manchester United’s starting XI is poised to look substantially different when they take to the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday.

The Red Devils will have just overseen the first leg of their Europa League semi-final away to Athletic Bilbao on Thursday and, irrespective of how the tie looks after the first 90 minutes, Ruben Amorim reportedly plans to rest his key starters in preparation for the reverse fixture at Old Trafford on May 8.

He already confirmed after yesterday’s hard-fought draw at Bournemouth that he did not intend for Luke Shaw, who made his first Premier League start in 14 months, to play the full 90 minutes. Yet, the sheer desperation to claim something against the 10-men Cherries meant the left-back saw out the clash.

“When we are losing or drawing, you don’t think about the next game. You need to win. I was not focused on the next game,” said Amorim in his post-match press conference.

Presumably, Bruno Fernandes, United’s most influential player of the season yet again, will start from the bench at the weekend, as well as the likes of Harry Maguire, Noussair Mazraoui and Leny Yoro. Manchester Evening News writer Samuel Luckhurst claims ‘wholesale’ changes will be made from the XI Amorim fielded on Sunday afternoon.

Amorim granted major fitness boosts for UEL semi-final

The returning Reds have been sorely missed throughout their absences. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

What comes as a significant boost for the boss is that he expects Amad and Matthijs de Ligt to be available for selection in the coming days. The European outing may come too soon, especially given the travel, although they’ve been tipped to make their respective returns with cameos against the Bees, meaning the pair could be deployed from the off for the second leg.

Amad had been enjoying a career-best top-flight season prior to his untimely layoff at the beginning of February, scoring nine goals and assisting a further eight in 36 appearances. 12 of those contributions came under Amorim alone; he played 20 times for the head coach before injuring his ankle.

More Stories / Latest News

Amad & De Ligt to return: Luckhurst confirms early team news for Brentford as Amorim plots ‘wholesale’ changes

Apr 28 2025, 12:57

Romano: Utd now negotiating ‘final details’ to sign ‘majestic’ star who’d ‘improve most PL teams’

Apr 28 2025, 11:46

Ex-Red urges Amorim to think twice before pursuing ‘intelligent’ target, it could prove ‘extremely dangerous’

Apr 28 2025, 8:50