Manchester, England — As Manchester United prepare to face West Ham United at Old Trafford this Saturday, head coach Ruben Amorim hinted that Harry Maguire might be rested due to a recent injury he sustained during the Europa League semi-final victory over Athletic Club. This news comes just ahead of the crucial Premier League matchup.
United celebrated a 3-0 win against Athletic Bilbao in the first leg but are now grappling with multiple injury concerns. Striker Chido Obi returns to the squad after being ineligible last week, but key players like Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee, Lisandro Martinez, and Diogo Dalot remain on the sidelines.
In contrast, West Ham’s Edson Alvarez is making his comeback after missing three matches due to a back problem. However, the Hammers will still miss the services of Michail Antonio and Crysencio Summerville, who are long-term absentees.
The two teams’ recent encounters show United’s dominant form historically, with 66 wins compared to West Ham’s 38 in all competitions. However, the recent stats have not favored United, who sit 15th in the league, struggling with 16 losses this season, their highest in 35 years.
Amorim, while addressing the media, acknowledged the team’s challenging position in the Premier League but emphasized the importance of focusing on the Europa League. “We are not ready to play in the Premier League, be competitive, and to be in the Champions League,” he stated. “We need to focus on winning the Europa League for our fans.”
The manager’s decision to rotate his squad significantly against Brentford, resulting in a 4-3 loss, has raised eyebrows, as it included naming one of the youngest sides in Premier League history. Amorim admitted to making eight changes with the Athletic Club match in mind, understanding the necessity of prioritizing goals in Europe over immediate league results.
Looking ahead, both teams are eyeing points to improve their standing, with West Ham currently in 17th place. West Ham’s recent performance has seen them draw their last two matches, hoping to take advantage of United’s weaker form and claim a vital away win.
Last week, Amorim was also cautious about the physical demands being placed on his squad. He said, “We took a risk with Maguire coming on because we need players for Thursday’s game. Every match is critical as we aim for a better finish this season.”
Meanwhile, Brentford’s manager Thomas Frank confirmed that his squad is fully fit ahead of their match against Ipswich Town after a successful recovery from various injuries. Frank added, “We are ready to take on any challenge. Our performance has been consistent, and we hope to capitalize on the situation.”
As the teams prepare for their encounters this weekend, all eyes will be on how their strategies unfold in response to the mounting pressure, injuries, and the quest for survival in a tough competition.
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