Ruben Amorim is in desperate need of players ahead of the two biggest games of the season. United travel to Bilbao to take on Athletic Club in the Europa League semifinal first leg in a tie that will define the season.
However, the United boss was having to play a lot of this recent period without some key players notably the man who was flying before his injury in Amad. He has been out since Valentine’s Day with an ankle problem.
The stalwart in defense Matthijs De Ligt has also been MIA since the defeat to Forest upon returning from the international break. He finished the game but it came at a cost as the Dutchman has now been out for six games in which time United have conceded 12 goals.
Toby Collyer is another who could return to training this week. This is all coming from the Manchester Evening News with them saying that "Amad and Matthijs de Ligt are hoped to be welcomed back by United THIS WEEK, with Sunday's game against Brentford seen as an opportunity to give them game time.
Toby Collyer could also return this week having sustained a small issue earlier this month."
So not by the time we play Bilbao on Thursday but that second leg is probably the more important of the two. To have the likes of Amad and De Ligt in particular back for that game will be a massive boost for Ruben Amorim. He's been without so many key players throughout his time at the club and to have lost two more at such crucial periods in the season obviously didn't help the already terrible campaign.
At least that Brentford game could be a match to get some minutes back in the tank for this trio.
Speaking of this weekend's trip to London, the MEN say that Amorim will be looking to heavily rotate his team ahead of the second leg against Bilbao at Old Trafford the following Thursday.
I think this is a good idea because as I've been saying, there has been so many injuries over the season and the last thing we'd want is for more of those before such a massive game.
Brentford is a tough ground to go to anyway so what's the point in risking the first team?
More on the injury front and Marcus Rashford has played his last game for Aston Villa (potentially ever). David Ornstein confirms that the forward will be out for the rest of the season after picking up a hamstring injury. Tests still need to be done to check how severe it is but it's expected that he won't require surgery. That is good news at least.
Hopefully this won't impact Villa's stance on Rashford because he has done relatively well in his time at the club. They should still hold him in high regards and potentially buy him next season.
Amad, Matthijs De Ligt and Toby Collyer could return for Man Utd this weekend against Brentford | Creator: Carl Recine | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2025 Getty Images via Sunderland AFC News