Ruben Amorim expects to have the same squad that drew against Lyon when Manchester United travel to Newcastle on Sunday.
Manchester United drew 2-2 against Lyon in the Europa League quarter-final on Thursday night.
Ruben Amorim named the same starting line-up in consecutive games for the first time since becoming United’s head coach. This meant midfielder veteran Casemiro played his third match in 10 days.
Although United didn’t get the result they wanted in Lyon, the Reds were the better side throughout the game but were let down by the lack of firepower up front – just like they did in the scoreless Manchester derby last weekend.
With United sitting in the bottom half of the Premier League table, albeit safe from relegation, the focus has shifted to the Europa League. The Reds will have one eye on their quarter-final second leg against Lyon when they visit St. James’ Park on Sunday.
Ruben Amorim hints at changes against Newcastle
Several members of United’s first-team could get a rest against Newcastle.
Amorim is cautious of pushing his players too far and picking up additional injuries, which means we are likely to see some rotation when Newcastle the Red Devils in the Premier League.
The United head coach stressed that he is not expecting any of the absentees to return for the game, but he also sent a clear message to Sir Jim Ratcliffe about his squad not being equipped to heavily rotate in Premier League matches.
“No, I think it’s the same,” Amorim told reporters during his press conference.
“There’s a great responsibility. We don’t have a team that is really big to do that [rotate], and then we have some players that I know that cannot make 90 minutes in this moment still.
“We have be careful, so we will try to address all these subjects in the game against Newcastle. But we have a great responsibility when we play any game, so I will try to look at that. That is for sure. But we have to face Newcastle with a team that we can be competitive, and to win the game.”
These comments come from a head coach who is telling the club’s hierarchy that he doesn’t have the players required to rotate his squad heavily, but only time will tell if Ineos will act in the summer transfer market.
United academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo made his first appearance since February on Thursday night, and he will hope to get more minutes against the Magpies.
Meanwhile, United are still waiting on Ayden Heaven and Amad Diallo to return from injury.
Manchester United have exceptions to the rotation rule
There are some Manchester United players who are rarely rotated because they are wired differently.
Portuguese duo Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot rarely miss games and are usually the first names on the teamsheet.
Since his transfer to United from Sporting CP in 2020, Bruno Fernandes has rarely missed any matches due to his incredible availability record.
| Games | Goals | Assists |
| 280 | 95 | 85 |
On the other hand, Dalot owes his obsession with availability to former United hero Cristiano Ronaldo.
Fernandes and Dalot could both start against Newcastle on Sunday.
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