Ruben Amorim handed huge boost with three Man Utd stars returning this week

Manchester United’s attempt to reach the Europa League final could be boosted by the return of three players from injury. United have been hampered all season by injuries and they now face their most important two matches of the season against Athletic Bilbao in the semi-final of the .

side sit 14th in the – a competition they haven’t won in for five matches – and are all in on the Europa League. They scraped on Sunday thanks to Rasmus Hojlund’s 96th minute equaliser, but know that their league form isn’t the priority right now.

Lifting the Europa League trophy on May 21 would ensure Amorim finished his debut campaign with silverware and, more importantly perhaps, secure a place in next season’s . United travel to northern Spain for the first leg of their semi-final against Athletic Club on Thursday, before the return leg at Old Trafford on May 8.

Amorim has already made it clear that he will rotate his side in the Premier League and the reports that the game against Brentford on Sunday will see a much-changed side. The team could also contain Amad Diallo, Matthijs de Ligt and Toby Collyer, who are expected to return to training this week.

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Amad has not played since the 2-0 win over on February 7 due to an ankle injury, but did return to individual training last week. He has nine goals and seven assists in 36 appearances this season and has been a rare bright light for United. If he can prove his fitness at Brentford on Sunday, then Amad could be in contention for the second leg against Athletic Club.

De Ligt has missed the last seven games with a foot injury but is also nearing a return. His absence has been compounded by the injuries to Lisandro Martinez and Ayden Heaven, leaving United short in central defence.

Collyer was described as having “small issue” in his leg earlier this month and was only ruled out for a few weeks by Amorim. The young midfielder fits the brief of the kind of players the United boss is keen to hand opportunities to in the league.

Left-back Harry Amass and centre back Tyler Fredricson recently made their full debuts, while Chido Obi came off the bench when United were chasing a goal against . Amorim brought off Casemiro, Patrick Dorgu, , and Noussair Mazraoui on the weekend with one eye on the important game in mid-week.

If they can get past Athletic Club, who sit fourth in and beat Rangers in the quarter-final, then a final against either or Bodo/Glimt awaits for United.

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