Manchester United is gearing up for a crucial second leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie against Lyon at Old Trafford, with the aggregate score finely balanced at 2-2. Following a dramatic first leg in France, where Rayan Cherki equalized in injury time after Joshua Zirkzee had seemingly secured a late victory for United, the stakes are high for both teams as they vie for a place in the semi-finals.
As United prepares for this pivotal clash on April 18, 2025, they face significant challenges with injuries sidelining several key players. Seven members of the squad will be unavailable for selection, prompting manager Ruben Amorim to reassess his lineup ahead of the match.
Among the notable absentees is Matthijs de Ligt, who is recovering from an ankle injury sustained during a recent defeat to Nottingham Forest. De Ligt turned his ankle in the closing stages of that match, and despite his efforts to continue playing, he has not participated in training since. Amorim confirmed, "Matta is going to return still this season," although no specific return date has been set.
Ayden Heaven, who had just returned from injury, is also ruled out after suffering a "small setback" during training. He was initially included in the squad against Newcastle United but missed Wednesday's session, leaving his availability for future matches uncertain. Amorim stated, "Ayden is out for this game, he had a small issue in the same spot during training, a contact with a teammate."
Long-term absentee Lisandro Martinez remains out after undergoing successful surgery for a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) suffered in February. His recovery is expected to take around six months, with a potential return in August. The absence of Martinez, a critical defensive player, adds to United's woes as they face a potent Lyon attack.
Jonny Evans, who has been out since December due to a muscle injury, was spotted training at Carrington on Wednesday, marking a positive step in his recovery. However, he will not feature against Lyon, although there is hope he may be available for the upcoming Premier League match against Wolves.
Toby Collyer has also been sidelined with a leg injury, which is not believed to be serious, but he has missed the last three matches. Amorim expressed optimism, saying, "We hope to have him in a few weeks," though no definitive timeline has been provided.
In a significant blow to United's attacking options, Joshua Zirkzee has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a hamstring injury sustained during the Newcastle match. The young forward had been showing promise but now faces a lengthy recovery. Amorim lamented, "It's tough, especially in this moment, he's improving in all aspects of the game. It's hard for a player to stop his football but now he has to be ready to recover."
Amad Diallo, who has been recovering from an ankle injury sustained earlier this season, trained alone at Carrington on Wednesday. While Amorim does not expect Amad to be available for selection this month, he remains hopeful for a return before the end of the season. Amorim mentioned, "Even Amad, we will see in the end of the last month. I don't want to say anything but I have the hope to have Amad before the end of the season." The Ivorian winger's potential return could be a boost for United as they look to advance in the tournament.
As United prepares to face Lyon, the team will need to dig deep and leverage the depth of their squad. With crucial players missing, the likes of Andre Onana, who is set to start in goal after being rested for the recent defeat, will need to step up. The match promises to be an intense battle, and United will be looking to capitalize on their home advantage.
Fans are eagerly anticipating how the team will adapt to these injury challenges. The tension surrounding the match is palpable, particularly given the stakes of progressing in the Europa League. With the aggregate score tied, every moment will count as both teams fight for a coveted place in the semi-finals.
As the clock ticks down to kickoff, the excitement builds. Manchester United will need to rally together, and with the support of their home crowd, they aim to overcome the obstacles in their path and secure a victory against Lyon.
The Europa League clash will be broadcast live on TNT Sports, allowing fans to follow every thrilling moment as United seeks to turn the tide in their favor.
