Amorim plan for youth players in final league games with Europe the target

Ruben Amorim will use some of his younger players in Manchester United’s next three Premier League fixtures as he prioritises the Europa League semi-final against Athletic Bilbao.

United play at Athletic on 1 May and host the return a week later. Matches against Wolves and Bournemouth precede the first leg and United go to Brentford in between the European fixtures.

A thrilling 5-4 extra-time win over Lyon sent United through 7-6 on aggregate and kept alive their hopes of winning a trophy and qualifying for the Champions League.

At least three young players – Harry Amass, Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven – are in line to get more game time than might have been the case.

Amorim brought on the 18-year-old Amass in the 100th minute against Lyon on Thursday for his European debut after giving the defender two Premier League appearances.

Obi, a 17-year-old forward, has played three times in the league and once in the FA Cup, and Heaven, an 18-year-old defender, has played twice in the league, once in the FA Cup and once in the Europa League.

The head coach, who is intent on managing his squad to ensure the best chance of reaching the final, has this month included on the bench five other players who have made academy appearances this season: Jaydan Kamason, Godwill Kukonki, Jack Moorhouse, Sékou Koné and the currently injured Toby Collyer.

“It’s not the best moment or the best season to put some kids to play because they need a strong base to really show what they can do, but in this moment we need to do it,” Amorim said.

“And sometimes you have surprises. Ayden just played – and I can be honest, because we had a lot of injuries at that moment – but today I think of Ayden as my player.”

Family issues led to Noussair Mazraoui being replaced at half-time against Lyon and, in a separate situation, the substitute Victor Lindelöf also leaving Old Trafford.

Amorim said Lindelöf was available to face Wolves and indicated Mazraoui would be too.

“Everything is OK now,” he said of Lindelöf. “I know that football is really important but there are things that are more important and then they will be ready to face the next game.”

Amorim called on the supporters to back the team against Wolves. Amorim was asked how much risk he would take with selection. “I have to see,” he said.

“Players like [Diogo] Dalot, they are always ready but he was really tired. The guys that are recent to have an injury, we will try to save them.”

Players recently back from injury include Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw. Amorim namechecked Matheus Cunha after saying Wolves, Sunday’s visitors, have “real quality players”.

The head coach was asked whether the Brazilian forward, who has 16 goals this season and would welcome a summer move, was a target.

“I just gave the example because I remembered about Matheus – he’s scoring a lot of goals,” he said. “Just that.”