Amorim's Selection Headache Ahead of Leeds Trip
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is grappling with a significant injury crisis as his side prepares for a crucial Premier League trip to face old rivals Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday. The Red Devils are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 1-1 draw with bottom-side Wolverhampton Wanderers, but their Portuguese boss has admitted his options are severely limited.
Squad Depleted by Injuries and International Duty
The situation at Old Trafford is far from ideal for the busiest period of the season. Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt, and Mason Mount are all sidelined with injuries, stripping the squad of key experience and quality. To compound these problems, Amorim remains unable to call upon Bryan Mbeumo, Amad, and Noussair Mazraoui, who are still competing at the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and Morocco respectively.
"You can see the squad, it is impossible and we cannot stretch the players that we don't have at the moment," Amorim stated bluntly. "I will try to put together a team that is ready to cope with that. I will try to read the game and try to understand what I should do to help them."
Tactical Flexibility Could Be Key
Faced with these shortages, Amorim may be forced into another tactical shift. He temporarily abandoned his preferred system for a 1-0 win over Newcastle United on Boxing Day, utilising a back four to good effect. However, the subsequent draw with Wolves saw a return to his usual shape. The challenge of an away trip to Elland Road might prompt another pragmatic switch to a four-man defence.
In goal, Senne Lammens is the clear choice, having started 13 consecutive matches since his debut in October. Should Amorim opt for a back four, the defence is likely to consist of Diogo Dalot, the impressive young defender Ayden Heaven – who was man of the match against Newcastle – alongside Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw.
In midfield, the experienced pairing of Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte is expected to provide the base, with academy product Jack Fletcher a potential option from the bench. Further forward, Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha could offer width and attacking threat, with Dorgu in particular transforming into a goal danger since being deployed in a more advanced role.
Leading the line, Benjamin Sesko should be supported by Joshua Zirkzee, the Dutch forward who was subject to transfer speculation before the January window.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Lammens; Dalot, Heaven, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Ugarte; Dorgu, Zirkzee, Cunha; Sesko.
