- Two Man United stars are a fresh injury doubt ahead of Sunday’s trip to Fulham
- Ruben Amorim confirmed the duo had suffered leg injuries against Rangers
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Ruben Amorim has provided a concerning injury update on two key Manchester United defenders after both were subbed off in Thursday’s Europa League win over Rangers.
United virtually guaranteed themselves automatic qualification for the knockout stages of the second-tier European competition with a 2-1 win over Rangers at Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes scored a late stoppage time winner to avoid another embarrassing moment for the English giants, but there was concern over two stars who had to leave the pitch.
Defenders Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt both started the encounter in Amorim’s preferred back-three alongside Lisandro Martinez but had to be replaced as the match progressed.
19-year-old Yoro was recalled to the starting side by Amorim after struggling against Southampton in his last appearance, while De Ligt maintained his run of starts but switched to playing at the heart of the back-three instead.
Both had largely kept Rangers attackers quiet throughout the evening and it was only when both had been hooked by Amorim that the Scottish visitors scored to threaten a potential comeback.
Ruben Amorim has provided a concerning injury update on two key Manchester United defenders
Both Matthijs de Ligt (left) and Leny Yoro (right) were subbed off in Thursday’s Europa League victory
Yoro started his first Europa League contest for United as the Old Trafford hosts secured a 2-1 win over Rangers
Now, Amorim has provided an injury update on the duo with both now a doubt for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Craven Cottage.
Confirming Yoro and De Ligt had each felt discomfort in their leg during the Europa League victory, the United boss told TNT Sports: ‘He [De Ligt] felt something in his leg.
‘Also Leny [Yoro], so we cannot risk anything. We have to win but we have to protect the players and show that everyone matters in this moment.’
De Ligt’s withdrawal will be of the most concern after the Dutchman was substituted at half-time and will now require further assessment ahead of the weekend’s critical Premier League clash.
Amorim confirmed United will be taking no risks with 19-year-old Yoro after he was withdrawn against Rangers
The Dutchman has started 17 of his 21 outings in the Premier League this season and has formed a trusted partnership alongside Martinez and Maguire in United’s defence.
Meanwhile, Yoro missed the start of the season after requiring surgery on a foot injury suffered in pre-season and Amorim is taking every precautionary measure to avoid another long-term lay-off.
The rising star was also wanted by Real Madrid in the summer prior to joining United and is slowly being eased into the demands of English football with Thursday being only his sixth start of the season in all competitions.
United’s latest win guaranteed their place in the Europa League play-offs at a minimum with only a draw – or other teams failing to win – needed against Bucharest next week to guarantee their automatic progression to the knockout stages.
