Amorim explains Maguire situation

Sunday 06 April 2025 20:05

Harry Maguire should be available for Manchester United's crucial Europa League quarter-final first leg at Lyon on Thursday.

The experienced centre-back was withdrawn in the 58th minute of the 0-0 draw with Manchester City, with Victor Lindelof taking his place at the heart of the back three.

Although Amorim had admitted before kick-off that Maguire's minutes were being managed and he may not play the full game, the 32-year-old did move a little uneasily when making his way to the touchline.

It sparked fears among some fans that the defender could be a doubt for the game in France, particularly as Matthijs de Ligt was forced out of the derby with an issue he picked up during the 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.

Ruben: My players changed their mindset Video

Ruben: My players changed their mindset

Ruben Amorim talks about how United played with a 'different mindset' against City and why Maguire came off...

In an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, Amorim said: "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."

The boss reiterated this stance in other post-match chats, clarifying: "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."

And, with MUTV, he said: "Just managing [him]. After 60 minutes, 55 minutes is a risk and we cannot risk any player in this moment."

De Ligt will hopefully be in contention to return soon but Ruben did tell MUTV before kick-off: "Matta, he has an injury. Let's see how long it is going to take."

The head coach was also asked after the game about Mason Mount, who came off the bench again on Sunday, and Kobbie Mainoo and if they could feature against Lyon.

“We’ll see," explained Amorim. "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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