Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has hinted that he will rest key players against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, including Diogo Dalot, with the Portuguese putting in another high-energy display against Lyon.
Dalot has been an ever-present for the Red Devils this season, making 50 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals and registering five assists in the process.
The right-sided wing-back was on the scoresheet in Thursday's Europa League quarter-final second leg against Lyon, with Man United booking their spot in the semi-finals courtesy of a 5-4 win on the night.
Dalot has only missed one Premier League game for Man United this season, but Amorim has suggested that the 26-year-old will be rested on Sunday following the blockbuster clash with Lyon, which lasted for 120 minutes.
"I have to see it, players like Dalot, they are always ready but today he was really tired. The guys that are at risk to have an injury, we will try to save them so we will see tomorrow [Friday]," Amorim told reporters.
© Imago
Dalot among those who could be rested against Wolves
Speaking to TNT Sports after the clash with Lyon, Amorim said that he would be handing minutes to a number of youngsters in the Premier League, with the club focusing on the Europa League late in the campaign.
Man United will head to Athletic Bilbao for the first leg of their semi-final on May 1, before the return game at Old Trafford one week later, and the Red Devils do not have anything to play for other than pride in the latter stages of the Premier League season.
The 20-time English champions are currently 14th in the Premier League table, and this has already gone down as their worst-ever campaign in the competition in terms of their points return.
"I think it is not the best moment or the best season to put some kids to play, because, again, they need a strong base to really show what they can do. But in this moment we need to do it and sometimes you have surprises," Amorim told reporters when questioned on his plan to use youngsters late in the Premier League season.
"Ayden [Heaven] just played and I can be honest, we did it because we had injuries in that moment. But today, I think Ayden is my player so when he is ready and facing the competition in the team, he is ready to play.
"So you don't know. [Harry] Amass did really well today. Chido, [Obi] when he played, he played quite well. It is a difficult moment, it is not the right moment for the kids to play, but if we have to do it then we will do it."
© Imago
Which youngsters could benefit from Amorim's plan?
Having been name checked by Amorim, it would be fair to assume that Chido Obi, Harry Amass and Ayden Heaven will be in line for some Premier League minutes in the coming weeks.
Jack Moorhouse, Jaydan Kamason and Godwill Kukonki are also among those who could receive action in England's top flight, with Amorim looking to see which players are capable of holding their own in the Premier League.
Man United will take on Bournemouth and Brentford in their two league games before the two semi-finals against Athletic, while the Europa League final will be on May 21, five days after their penultimate Premier League match of the season against Chelsea.
Matt Law
