Manchester United head coach Rúben Amorim has explained his decision to leave Luke Shaw out of the starting lineup for tonight’s Europa League semi-final against Athletic Bilbao, citing the need to carefully manage the defender’s minutes following his long injury layoff.
Shaw, along with Kobbie Mainoo, has been rotated to the bench after making his first club start in over a year during Sunday’s draw with Bournemouth. Victor Lindelöf replaces Shaw in the back three, lining up alongside Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro, with wing-backs Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu providing width.
Speaking to MUTV, Amorim said: “We had to take Luke Shaw out from the last game because we have to manage our players. Vic is a player that is really good on the ball also, he’s really experienced.”
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In midfield, Manuel Ugarte returns in place of Mainoo to partner Casemiro, with Amorim adding: “Ugarte and Casemiro combined quite well in the Lyon games. We want a bit of stability in this moment, in this game. They [Bilbao] are a team that want to press really high, so we put a team that can cope with that.”