Ruben Amorim: Manchester United 'need to be careful' with one player after latest injury scare

Ruben Amorim eased any injury concerns over Manchester United defender Harry Maguire after he was withdrawn early in the dull Manchester derby draw with Man City on Sunday afternoon. The 32-year-old was one of two changes to the United side over the weekend as he came into the starting line up in place of the injured Matthijs de Ligt.

Maguire performed well in the heart of the United backline before he was eventually replaced by Victor Lindelof on the hour mark. His withdrawal sparked concerns of a fresh injury blow ahead of their crucial Europa League quarter-final first leg against Lyon on Thursday night.

However, United head coach Amorim played down any fresh injury scare and confirmed the substitution was pre-planned in order to manage fitness levels ahead of their most important match of the season. United are set to record their lowest-ever Premier League finish but could salvage their season with Champions League qualification if they win the Europa League.

Manchester United 'need to be careful' with Harry Maguire

Harry Maguire is expected to start when Manchester United travel to face Lyon later this week, with Matthijs de Ligt currently considered a doubt for the match. Speaking after the Manchester derby, Ruben Amorim gave various updates on the injury situation in his post-match media duties.

"Harry Maguire just had 60 minutes allowed from the medical department to play, so he's fit and ready to go. So we need to be careful on this," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

In a further media commitment, he added: "No, it’s not an injury, it’s just [that] we had a time that we could use Harry without any danger. We cannot lose any more players, we have to try to divide the moments between the players. We have a really important game on Thursday." While he told MUTV: "Just managing [him]. After 60 minutes, 55 minutes is a risk and we cannot risk any player in this moment."

Mason Mount featured from the bench in the goalless draw on Sunday afternoon, while Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo both returned to the matchday squad after injury. The pair could make their return to action in France later this week, though Amorim will be careful not to rush them back after so long on the sidelines.

“We’ll see," he said. "Mason Mount is ready to do whatever we want. Of course, we have to look at the minutes. Kobbie Mainoo is training with us, we want to be careful, again, with our players, but maybe he’s going to be in our squad."

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