Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has announced a reduced 18-player squad for their crucial Europa League match against Real Sociedad.
The team traveling to Spain for the first leg of their last-16 tie features a small group, notably including three goalkeepers.
UEFA regulations permit teams to name up to 23 players for Europa League matchday squads.
However, Manchester United’s current injury situation has limited them to just 18 players for the Sociedad game.
With Andre Onana, Dermot Mee, and Elyh Harrison as the three goalkeepers, Amorim has only 15 outfield players available.
This situation provides a first-time European call-up for 22-year-old Mee, who was previously on the bench for a Premier League game against Everton last month.
Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte are the latest players ruled out of the Thursday match due to minor injuries sustained during their FA Cup defeat to Fulham.
Maguire’s absence was noted when he was surprisingly substituted before the penalty shootout against Fulham at Old Trafford. Ugarte was also substituted during that game, likely for tactical reasons.
The unavailability of Maguire and Ugarte adds to the list of nine first-team regulars already sidelined, bringing the total to 12 players unavailable for the Sociedad match.
Young striker Chido Obi, despite recent bench appearances, is also unavailable as he was not registered in the Europa League squad. Obi, who joined from Arsenal in the summer, is not yet eligible for the B-list.
January signings Ayden Heaven and Patrick Dorgu were registered in time and are part of the squad.
Other injured Manchester United players include Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton, Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, and Amad Diallo.
Real Sociedad also faces player absences for the game. Alvaro Odriozola, Arsen Zakharyan, Jon Pacheco, and Luka Sucic were all absent from their recent La Liga match against Barcelona.
The news of Maguire and Ugarte’s unavailability has caused concern among fans, with some expressing pessimism about their chances against Sociedad.
However, there is positive news as young midfielder Toby Collyer returns to the squad after recovering from an injury that kept him out since January.
The Europa League represents Manchester United’s last opportunity to win a trophy this season.
Despite struggling in the Premier League, Manchester United was the only team in both the Champions League and Europa League to remain undefeated in the group stage this season.
Currently positioned 14th in the Premier League, winning the Europa League may be crucial for Manchester United to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Marcus Bellamy