Manchester, England — Ruben Amorim, di head coach of Manchester United, don talk say he go no take risk with im players fitness as dem prepare to face Brentford for di Premier League on Sunday. Di Reds come back from Bilbao with a solid 3-0 win against Athletic Bilbao in di Europa League semi-final first leg, but dem sabi say di job no finish yet until dem complete di second leg for Old Trafford on Thursday night.
Amorim, wey lead a squad of 26 players go di Basque country, emphasize say di Europa League na priority but dem go still prepare well for di 2:00 PM BST kick-off at di Gtech Community Stadium. Young talents like Harry Amass, Tyler Fredricson, Jaydan Kamason, Bendito Mantato, and Chido Obi dey among di players wey fit get chance to play after dem travel to Spain, but Noussair Mazraoui don already withdraw from di match due to fitness issues.
“Di first thing na say di players wey fit get injury go no play, no matter wetin happen,” Amorim tok during im pre-match press conference. “We need to take dat risk. We go assess tomorrow (Friday) and di day after, who go fit start di game.”
Di coach go need to make some tough decisions as Mazraoui, wey don dey play as right wing-back, fit no play again, and Diogo Dalot dey out due to calf injury. Amorim admit say dem get limited players for some positions: “For example, Nous Mazraoui fit no play again, him dey limit to get injury,” im explain.
After United kick di Europa League semi-final for di right step, Amorim don mention say dem go need manage di fitness of im players wisely. “We have a responsibility to perform and deliver results. But right now, our focus na to preserve players and still remain competitive,” he say. “No be sweet to talk, but we need to understand di context.”
Amad and Matthijs de Ligt don return as substitutes during di game on Thursday, and both fit start against Brentford. Meanwhile, Altay Bayindir dey back for di matchday squad, but Jonny Evans no dey listed for di bench due to careful management. Players like Ayden Heaven, Lisandro Martinez, and Joshua Zirkzee still dey out of action as dem recover from injuries. Toby Collyer don dey train individually at Carrington, working to regain im full fitness.
Brentford also dey bring di heat as dem enjoy a sweet 2-0 victory against Nottingham Forest. Goals from Kevin Schade and Yoane Wissa don put dem in good spirits ahead of di clash on Sunday. Thomas Frank, di Brentford manager, confirm say all im players dey fit and ready: “Everyone dey safe, fit, and okay. We dey look forward to play again on Sunday,” im say.
Frank admit say di tight turnaround between matches dey challenging, but na part of di game. “Na all about recovery. From di final whistle till two hours before di game, we go tactical and ready to attack again,” im conclude. Brentford still get chance to reach Europe next season, and dis match fit be crucial for dem to push for dat goal.
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