Manchester United could hand out more squad debuts vs Real Sociedad after Chido Obi blow
Man Utd travel to face Real Sociedad in the knockout stages of the Europa League this week.
Manchester United could hand out some squad debuts as they prepare to face Real Sociedad in the knockout stages of the Europa League this week. Ruben Amorim's side were knocked out of the FA Cup by Fulham at the weekend and know they have to win the Europa League if they are to have any chance of playing in Europe again next season.
United were without 10 senior players for their shootout defeat to Fulham, but Patrick Dorgu will be available again after he served a domestic suspension in the match. It is not all good news though. There was another blow when it was revealed teenage striker Chido Obi is not registered to feature in the remainder of the Europa League campaign.
It means United could still be without 10 senior options for the first leg away against Sociedad on Thursday night and Amorim could turn to youth to bolster his squad for their trip to Spain.
Manchester United could hand out more squad debuts
Manchester United are allowed to name a 23-man matchday squad in the Europa League, though that looks highly unlikely after they named a squad of just 18 against Fulham at the weekend. There should be an early team news hint when United take part in an open training session at Carrington on Wednesday morning, while their travelling squad will be confirmed later in the day.
Seven players named on United's revised A-List for the competition missed the weekend defeat to Fulham and are not expected to be available for selection tomorrow night. Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton have both been sidelined through injury, while fourth-choice Dermot Mee is also injured. It means 17-year-old William Murdock is likely to be named in a matchday squad again unless the injury situation is eased.
Lisandro Martinez has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after he underwent surgery, while Amad Diallo is also expected to miss the rest of the campaign. Mason Mount is getting closer to a return but remains sidelined, while Jonny Evans and Luke Shaw are both injured as well. Toby Collyer could be available for selection soon, though he is registered on the club's B-List for the match along with Kobbie Mainoo, who has been ruled out until after the March international break.
United can register an unlimited number of youth players on their B-list today, as long as they are born on or after January 1, 2003 and have been eligible to play for the club for two years in a row, or three years in a row with a one-year loan to another club in the same association.
It means Elyh Harrison, Tyler Fredricson, Jayce Fitzgerald and Jack Moorhouse could all feature, though summer signing Sekou Kone is not eligible. Jack Fletcher was added to the A-List last month. Gabriele Biancheri and James Scanlon could both be promoted to the first team for the match.