Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has dropped a big selection hint ahead of Saturday’s late Premier League kick-off against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils suffered their first defeat under Amorim on Wednesday night. They had a good start against Arsenal, but the Gunners eventually came on top with a 2-0 win.
United will be aiming to return to winning ways tomorrow and ahead of the game, the manager has hinted that he is likely to rotate his starting line-up once more.
Amorim said that Bruno Fernandes was a little bit tired against Arsenal in midweek, but the Portuguese has exceptional recovery levels and should be fit to start on Saturday.
The 39-year-old added that the same can’t be said about Manuel Ugarte and acknowledged that the Uruguayan needs a little bit more time to recover from games.
Amorim told reporters: “More or less, yes. You have an idea but then you have the problem of players returning without training and then you have to manage the load.
“So you also have the same problem but then you have to imagine and understand what kind of player you have.
“Bruno Fernandes, you feel it, against Arsenal, in the end, he was a little bit tired but you know he is going to recover very well.
“Manuel Ugarte, I’ve known for so long, I know that he needs sometimes a little bit more time. So we are in that process, to know the players and try to manage that, but we’re getting closer to an idea, yes.”
Amorim made six changes for the Premier League win over Everton last weekend. He made the same number of changes versus Arsenal, though a couple were forced on him.
Lisandro Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo were suspended for the trip to the Emirates Stadium and the duo are very much expected to make the starting XI against Forest tomorrow.
Aside from the pair, we can anticipate plenty of more changes to the starting XI. Ugarte looks poised to be one of those dropping to the bench judging by Amorim’s comments.
The ‘tireless‘ midfielder was United’s best player against Arsenal. He had a passing accuracy of 92 percent and won nine ground and aerial duels. Despite this, he could be given a breather as part of Amorim’s rotation policy.
Ugarte has been rotated with Casemiro by the United manager. It could be a straightforward switch. Mainoo could partner Casemiro with Fernandes playing higher up the pitch.
Stats from Sofascore.com & Transfermarkt.com
Article written by Sri Aswin .
