Ruben Amorim could be without two first-team stars for the collision of Manchester United against Real Sociedad in the Europa League.
The Red Devils are faltering in the weekend of their FA Cup fifth round defeat by Fulham, who ended up one of the two unlikely routes to European football.
United is 14th in the Premier League as the window for securing a top half -half finish – let alone qualifying for Europe – closes with any bad result, in the midst of a large number of problems on and next to the field.
It is an unwanted series of circumstances that further pressure on their Europa League campaign. The victory in the competition would give access to the Champions League and the accompanying wealth, which would alleviate the acute financial misery of the club.
However, Amorim was not helped in this goal due to the absence of Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte from first team training on Wednesday. Both players suffered problems during the weekend defeat by the Cottagers.
Maguire has cemented its place in the starting XI under the Portuguese boss and has completed 90 minutes in 11 Premier League matches since the appointment of Amorim.
Ugarte has since recovered from a slow start of life at Old Trafford since his £ 51 million relocation of PSG in the summer to become an essential member of Amorim's midfield.
The Old Trafford Club is already excluded without a large number of players due to an injury, such as Lisandro Martinez and Amad Diallo until the end of the season. The return data of England Internationals Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw are unknown.
Elsewhere, positive news comes from younger Toby Collyer, who could appear against the LaLiga side.
Despite the reputation and financial rewards that would come with a Europa League triumph, Amorim stated this week that the building is now 'more important' for the Red Devils for the future.
“Of course we lost in the cup last week, so people watch this Europa League as the unique competition we can win,” he told Sky Sports.
'Also the connection with winning the Europa League with Champions League (following qualification).
'But to tell you the truth, I think we have bigger things to think about (about). I know it is strange to say that, but it is something that we are trying to build here, that will be more important than winning a cup at the moment.
“I know the responsibility that we have to fight for every trophy, but at the moment we are trying to build something that is going more than every trophy this season.”
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