Amorim Drops Bombshell Injury News That Could Derail Man Utd's Momentum After Wolves Victory
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has acknowledged that his early confidence regarding centre-back Matthijs de Ligt's injury may have been overly optimistic, as the Netherlands defender was absent from Monday's squad once again.
De Ligt was sidelined for the 1–1 stalemate against West Ham United due to what Amorim characterized as a "minor issue." The United manager had openly expressed his expectation that the player would be available for selection for Monday's fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
However, despite United's commanding 4–1 triumph over the league's basement club, De Ligt remained unavailable. Amorim deployed two natural wing-backs, Luke Shaw and Noussair Mazraoui, as central defenders alongside academy prospect Ayden Heaven, while Lisandro Martínez, who is still regaining match fitness, and Leny Yoro were named as substitutes.
When pressed for details about De Ligt's status, Amorim acknowledged his inability to provide a timeline for the 26-year-old's return.
"I don't know, sometimes you have an idea and then you have to see day by day," Amorim conceded.
"I am not going to say when he is coming back."
Amorim: Response to Wolves Equaliser Impressive
United's defensive frailties were evident against Wolves as the struggling home team, who have managed just two points from 15 matches this season, netted their eighth goal of the campaign to level the score at 1–1 heading into the break.
Although the equalizing goal appeared warranted at the time, it didn't accurately represent United's control throughout the match, and Amorim ensured his players understood this during his halftime address.
"I'm feeling good," Amorim reflected. "I think we played well, most of the time. I think we disconnected a little bit after the first goal, that hurt us. But in the second half, everyone felt we were there to win the game and that was a good feeling.
"It's really good that [fight in the second half], but we need to be concerned about how we concede a goal when we have full control of the game. We are so near to score a second goal to kill, a little bit, the game. But I'm pleased with the response after half-time.
"It was so clear we are dominating the games but not finishing the plays as we should do. We need to be better in the details. [I was] trying to explain to the players we have 45 minutes to win the three points that are crucial for our life."