In a major boost to Ruben Amorim’s hopes of making a flying start to his Old Trafford tenure against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League, Manchester United’s injury issues are starting to ease up.
After coming off the bench late on at Ipswich Town – Ruben Amorim is already a huge fan of Mason Mount, by the way – Manchester United’s number seven should soon be in contention to make his first start since August.
Kobbie Mainoo was back on the bench at Portman Road too, while Luke Shaw made his first appearance of 2024/25 at last.
Now, the visit of Bodo/Glimt to England’s north west will come too soon for both Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro. Both are back in first-team training but Amorim is understandably wary of throwing the centre-back duo back into the team before they are fully ready.
The last thing United need, of course, is an injury setback or two.
But one player who will be available for the Red Devils’ fifth Europa League match of the campaign is the ankle-biting fans’ favourite Lisandro Martinez.
World Cup winner Martinez missed Man United’s Ipswich clash. Amorim confirmed during his midweek press-conference, however, that he will be back for Thursday night.
- READ MORE: Who is Lisandro Martinez? Step inside the life of Manchester United’s tenacious Argentine
Ruben Amorim confirms Lisandro Martinez is back for Manchester United
“Not Harry [but] Licha is ready,” Amorim smiles. “He didn’t [stay on the sidelines for] too much time, so I feel he is ready. It is a different situation with Harry.
“We need them both but they are in different situations. They are training. Harry will soon be on the pitch also.”
Leny Yoro, meanwhile, is yet to feature for Man United since his high-profile £52 million summer arrival from French outfit LOSC Lille. And while there were initially some concerns when Yoro was nowhere to be seen on the Carrington pitches on Wednesday, those fears have since been allayed.
This is a dedicated recovery day for the teenager. And, if reports are to be believed, Yoro always targeted next week’s trip to Arsenal on December 4th as his potential comeback date.
“He is available to train,” Amorim says of Yoro. “But we are working on his fitness.
“[Manchester United] is a massive club. Its very important, the fitness. We will try and put everything together because he is a great talent. We believe a lot in him.”
Gary Neville thinks Leny Yoro will be a huge part of Ruben Amorim’s plans
Man United legend Gary Neville feels that Yoro will be one of Amorim’s first picks when he has fully recovered from the broken foot he suffered in pre-season. Neville argues that, in the Iberian’s three-at-the-back system, United will need mobile defenders capable of covering the ground and shifting across to the flanks in the build up.
As such, that should suit the sprightly Yoro better than most.
Against Bodo/Glimt, meanwhile, Amorim may be expected to start with a trio of Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt and the returning Martinez with Jonny Evans dropping out.
“Ideally, that left centre-back and right centre-back have got to go out and play as left-back and right-back. We saw Mazraoui do it [against Ipswich],” Neville explains.
“I think [Manuel] Ugarte will be a winner, not just because he has played for him before. I think Mainoo and Ugarte, for me, play in midfield. I think they are absolute certs. I think Luke Shaw is a certainty.
“I think, ultimately, you will end up as Yoro as that right centre-back because of that energy and that pace.”
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