Ruben Amorim must take major risk and unleash Man Utd star vs Lyon at Old Trafford, his system needs him for crucial test

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Ruben Amorim must not hesitate in rolling the dice and playing one key Manchester United player against Lyon in the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday.

The Red Devils will resume their Europa League campaign and Ruben Amorim’s men will host Ligue 1 outfit Lyon at Old Trafford for the return leg of the last-eight tie.

Lyon hosted United in the first-leg Europa League quarter-final clash last Thursday and the contest ended in a 2-2 draw at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais in France.

United were 2-1 up against Lyon in the dying stages of the match after coming from 1-0 down before a second costly howler from Andre Onana blew their lead.

Following on from the trip to the Parc Olympique Lyonnais, United resumed their Premier League campaign with their visit to St James’ Park on Sunday.

Newcastle inflicted a thumping 4-1 defeat on United on the weekend and the Red Devils were blown out of the water in the second half against the Magpies.

Amorim’s side are 14th in the Premier League table after United’s drubbing at the hands of Newcastle and the Red Devils now face an uphill task against Lyon.

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Ruben Amorim must now make an important Luke Shaw call for the Europa League tie vs Lyon after Man Utd star’s return vs Newcastle

Ruben Amorim did see one major positive from the 4-1 defeat to Newcastle on Sunday afternoon, with Luke Shaw finally making his return for United.

The 29-year-old Red Devils defender picked up an injury last December and United manager Amorim had been left waiting for Luke Shaw’s return to first-team action.

Shaw was able to make his first appearance for United in 2025 and the England star climbed off the bench in the second half and replaced Noussair Mazraoui.

The England international secured important minutes after his return from injury and Shaw impressed United fans with his superb second-half cameo for the Red Devils.

It might still be too early to start Shaw after his period on the sideline, but Amorim might not have a choice due to the importance of the Lyon match on Thursday.

Shaw added much-needed creativity and attacking flair to Amorim’s tactical system at United during the Premier League match against Newcastle at St James’ Park.

Amorim will need the United left-back’s superb defensive and attacking attributes from the wing-back role in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-finals.

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Ruben Amorim faces his toughest test as Man Utd manager with the Red Devils’ Europa League encounter with Lyon

Speaking after the Newcastle match, Amorim admitted that his focus has already switched to United beating Lyon and punching their ticket to the semi-finals.

“We have to start tomorrow [to recover for Thursday],” he said, as per Manchester United’s official website.

“We cannot change this game, this performance, this [Premier League] season.

“We just need to think of the future, we have one competition that we can win a trophy [in] and go to the Champions League next season.”

United are on course for their worst finish in the Premier League era and face a real threat of missing out on European football for next season if they don’t lift the Europa League trophy.

The Europa League would offer a route back to the Champions League for the 2025-26 campaign and Amorim could lift his first piece of major silverware as United manager.

United host French side Lyon at Old Trafford on Thursday evening, with kick-off for the Europa League quarter-final clash slated for 8pm UK time.