Ruben Amorim 'really concerned' by Man Utd injury scare | OneFootball

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has admitted that the injury suffered by centre-back Matthijs de Ligt during Sunday's Premier League defeat to Brentford is a worry.

De Ligt had only returned from a foot problem as a substitute against Athletic Club a few days earlier, but was forced off after just 35 minutes at Brentford, his first start since 1 April.

Amorim explained that his concern about the Dutchman is not really focused on the second leg of the Europa League semi-final at Old Trafford on Thursday, but longer-term.

"I don't know so I'm really concerned [but] not about Thursday," Amorim told Sky Sports. "We took off Luke Shaw at half-time to protect [him] and have players for Thursday, but I'm more concerned whether it is a small or big injury [for De Ligt] and thinking about next season."

Matthijs de Ligt (centre) has missed six games through injury this season / Richard Heathcote/GettyImages

With De Ligt not starting the first leg against Athletic Club and missing both quarter-final games against Lyon, United appeared to be in a good place with a back three of Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof at San Mames last week. Noussair Mazraoui had started against Lyon instead of Lindelof, but the Morocco international is now covering for the injured Diogo Dalot at wing-back.

But with Lindelof set to leave the club at the end of his contract next month, and veteran servant Jonny Evans also on course to depart, losing De Ligt long-term and impacting the start of 2025/26 could be a significant problem. United won't have Lisandro Martinez back until perhaps several months into next season as he recovers from a torn ACL, which risks leaving Amorim with two senior natural centre-backs.

Amorim heavily rotated his side against Brentford, clearly prioritising the Europa League. Defeat in south west London brought the real threat of finishing the season 17th in the Premier League a little closer, but United have far more to play for in Europe.

"We as a club we need to understand in this moment we have a big responsibility. We have to prepare a squad for different competitions," the boss reasoned.