Ruben Amorim updates followers on Matthijs de Ligt after he is dropped for West Ham conflict
Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt misses the Premier League clash against West Ham due to a minor injury, while Bruno Fernandes and Joshua Zirkzee overcome fitness doubts to start
Ruben Amorim has revealed that Matthijs de Ligt is missing from the clash against West Ham due to a minor injury.
Bruno Fernandes and Joshua Zirkzee were reportedly fitness concerns ahead of the West Ham encounter, but both players travelled with the squad and feature in the starting XI.
De Ligt’s absence has paved the way for Ayden Heaven to earn his first Premier League start since featuring against Aston Villa on the final day of last season.
Amorim has made two further alterations from the triumph over Crystal Palace last weekend, with Noussair Mazraoui and Matheus Cunha replacing Leny Yoro and Mason Mount in the lineup.
The United manager offered an update on De Ligt’s condition, telling Sky Sports: “It’s a small thing. I expect to have him in the next game [against Wolves on Monday]. The rest of the guys are ready.”
Yoro gave away a penalty against Palace and appeared dejected on the substitutes’ bench when he was withdrawn before the hour mark.
When Amorim was questioned about the Frenchman’s omission, he replied: “As a manager, we need to think about everything.”, reports the Manchester Evening News.
“I spoke to Leny, not about leaving him out but about the message. He is so disappointed, but it is a tactical issue. It is a clear option and a tactical option. Today we need to win, no matter what.”
De Ligt was crowned United’s player of the month for November, and he had been the only United player to feature in every Premier League minute this season until tonight.
United currently sit ninth in the Premier League, but a win against West Ham could see them climb to fifth.
