United's matchday squad clarified

Thursday 23 January 2025 19:35

Manchester United's matchday squad to face Rangers in the Europa League has been clarified.

It has been confirmed that Noussair Mazraoui is not among the substitutes. The Morocco international has, instead, been rested as a precaution, after picking up a knock in the weekend defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.

It leaves only nine players on the bench, including two goalkeepers in Andre Onana and Tom Heaton, with Altay Bayindir starting in goal.

The Reds report for duty Video

The Reds report for duty

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There are four other alterations to the starting line-up, with Lisandro Martinez replacing Harry Maguire in defence. Amad switches to right wing-back to allow Alejandro Garnacho's introduction in an attacking role, behind Joshua Zirkzee, who is in for Rasmus Hojlund.

It's a new-look midfield, with Toby Collyer and Christian Eriksen forming the pairing in the engine room.

Explaining his five changes to the team, Amorim told TNT Sports: “It’s impossible to be competitive in the Premier League and in Europe, especially when you play in the Europa League.

"I think it’s much harder than the Champions League, not the opponents of course, but the time to recover.

"So we have everything in our mind, we have to put the players at the same level and they have to be prepared for every game."

The Gers include Jack Butland, who was passed fit to face his former club, and another ex-Red is on the bench in Tom Lawrence.

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