Since assuming the role of manager at Manchester United, Ruben Amorim has encountered significant criticism from both fans and former players. The Portuguese coach has faced backlash regarding his tactics, although some former players believe he requires more time to implement his vision.

Following their FA Cup fifth-round loss to Fulham on March 2nd, United struggled to secure a victory, managing only two 1-1 draws against Real Sociedad in the Europa League and Arsenal in the Premier League. The draw with Sociedad particularly frustrated fans, who were still reeling from the FA Cup elimination.

However, the subsequent draw against second-placed Arsenal helped restore some confidence among supporters and players alike, culminating in a remarkable performance by Bruno Fernandes, who scored a hat trick in a 4-0 victory over Sociedad in the second leg of their Europa League Round of 16 match. Additionally, Diogo Dalot contributed with a goal in stoppage time for the English side.

Looking ahead, United will return to Premier League action against Leicester City on March 17th, with all attention once again focused on Amorim.

Manchester United's injury woes

In a pre-match discussion, he addressed the possible returns from injury of players such as Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo. Mount, in particular, has been a costly disappointment for United since his transfer from Chelsea for £60 million in 2023.

“With various competitions, we must rotate our players to mitigate the risk of injury. For instance, Casemiro was quite fatigued, and we opted not to risk Ugarte today, as the decision was based on one competition, and Ugarte expressed his desire to remain here,” stated Amorim.

“I believe Mason Mount will return gradually. As for Kobbie, he might be back in a few weeks, but I cannot confirm that. We will also be cautious with Harry Maguire and assess his situation for Sunday. It is essential that we have all our players available.

“Once again, I anticipate that the match against Lyon will present a different challenge. Their physicality matches ours, making it a more demanding game in that regard, and we face numerous tough fixtures in the Premier League,” he continued.

The return of Mainoo could significantly benefit United, especially as Fernandes has been struggling for support in midfield, having to manage both offensive and defensive roles. Mainoo’s involvement could relieve the burden on the Portugal international and United captain, allowing him to focus more on attacking duties.

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