It’s far from an ideal situation, but it has come to the stage in the season where Premier League action is more of a hindrance than anything else for Manchester United, with Ruben Amorim needing to find a way to keep his players motivated domestically.
With a crucial Europa League first-leg tie against Athletic Bilbao just a matter of days away, the Red Devils are faced with an unwanted trip to Bournemouth later today, having notably slipped to a 1-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend.
There is a sense that Amorim’s men have almost thrown in the towel on the Premier League front, following that 15th loss of the campaign, although the meeting with the Cherries could be another useful exercise to at least test out those on the fringes.
Sunday 27 April
Bournemouth (A)
Premier League
Thursday 1 May
Athletic Bilbao (A)
Europa League
Sunday 4 May
Brentford (A)
Premier League
Thursday 8 May
Athletic Bilbao (H)
Europa League
Sunday 11 May
West Ham (H)
Premier League
Friday 16 May
Chelsea (A)
Premier League
Sunday 25 May
Aston Villa (H)
Premier League
Equally, one form of motivation could be the current rumblings regarding potential transfer targets – namely Matheus Cunha – with the final weeks of the season providing a perfect audition period for a number of first-team and academy stars.
The changes Amorim could make vs Bournemouth
The trip to the south coast may also allow members of Amorim’s ranks to stake their claim for involvement in Thursday’s pivotal European encounter, with positions certainly up for grabs all across the park.
Indeed, there is now real competition in the defensive unit, not least with the academy duo of Tyler Fredricson and Harry Amass having caught the eye against the Old Gold a week ago.
That youthful pairing could again feature this time around, with Amorim likely not wanting to take a risk with the likes of Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro, particularly with Diogo Dalot the latest defender to be struck down by injury.
Meanwhile, following a rare rest against Vitor Pereira’s side, Bruno Fernandes may be called upon to try and ignite the Red Devils this afternoon, with the Portuguese skipper still leading the way for goals and assists this season at Old Trafford.
That pursuit of goals – and the absence of Joshua Zirkzee – could see Chido Obi handed a first senior start following his summer switch from Arsenal, with the 17-year-old a wise replacement for Rasmus Hojlund, considering that he is ineligible to feature on Thursday night.
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The teenage Dane could well be joined in the attacking unit by another man who came off the bench last time out, with Mason Mount running out of time to stake his claim for one of the two number ten berths.
The Man Utd star who could soon be replaced by Cunha
The suggestion is that Cunha – should a deal progress – will be brought in to play in one of those two roles off the main centre-forward, with the Brazilian catching the eye with 26 league goals across the last two campaigns combined.
If United are to fork out to meet his reported £62.5m release clause, such an outlay would suggest that the 25-year-old will then be a regular fixture in Amorim’s starting lineup next term, leaving the likes of Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and, of course, Mount to fight it out for the other playmaking berth.
With Fernandes dropping deeper of late, there has been something of a vacancy in the number ten role, although even then the returning Mount has still been restricted to a substitute berth, with that limited action set to be impacted even further if Cunha is to arrive.
Games (starts)
32 (27)
Goals
11
Big chances missed
4
Assists
10
Big chances created
10
Key passes*
1.8
Pass accuracy*
85%
Tackles*
1.3
Interceptions*
0.4
Successful dribbles*
0.6
While it is evident that the Englishman is being gradually eased back into the action following his recent absence – having only returned last month following an almost four-month spell on the sidelines – now is the time for Amorim to finally unleash the former Chelsea man from the outset.
Indeed, following what has been an injury-hit two years at Old Trafford – which has yielded just one goal and one assist in total – Mount now needs a run of games to stake his claim and justify the public faith that his new boss has placed in him.
Since first walking in the door, Amorim has repeatedly singled out the £55m midfielder for praise, having hailed the England international as a “proper footballer” back in late November.
While Mount’s cruel injury blow in the early knockings of the December Manchester derby has since hampered his progress, his recent return to fitness has afforded him a month or so to now kick on and finally begin to justify his exorbitant price tag.
Currently looking like another victim of United’s infamous number seven curse, the 26-year-old “pressing monster” – as lauded by Statman Dave – needs to showcase why he could represent a potential partner to Cunha, and not the man whom the Brazilian will replace.
Changes are likely to be in store this afternoon, and Mount’s recall to the starting lineup needs to be one of them. It’s approaching now or never for his stop-start Manchester United career…
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