Ruben Amorim has revealed that key players may be rested for Sunday’s Premier League match against Newcastle United in order to conserve energy for Manchester United’s crucial Europa League quarter-final second leg against Lyon.
With the Red Devils struggling in 13th place in the league, they have little to play for domestically between now and the end of the season, making the upcoming European tie with Lyon even more significant. The first leg in France ended 2-2, with Rayan Cherki’s dramatic 95th-minute equalizer denying United a win. The tie is still finely balanced ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Given the importance of the upcoming continental encounter, Amorim has hinted that some regular starters could be rested against Newcastle, as United look to prioritize their European ambitions.
“It’s an evaluation,” said Amorim when asked about potentially resting players, including captain Bruno Fernandes. “We’ll assess it with all the staff, with all the data we have, and protect the players who may struggle with playing too many games. But Bruno Fernandes has been playing better every time. Sometimes, players like him need to play every match, but we’ll address it over the next few days.”
Fernandes, who has played almost every minute this season (4,078 out of a possible 4,470), is a prime candidate for a rest. However, whether United can afford to rest their key playmaker remains uncertain.
“Sometimes, winning games is the best way to prepare for the next one,” Amorim continued. “Of course, we need to be careful with some players, but we also need to stay competitive. When you’re at Manchester United, you can’t go into a game thinking about the next one. We have three days to prepare, and we’ll focus on recovery to be ready for Thursday. But we must approach the Newcastle match in a way that gives us the best chance to win.”
