Noussair Mazraoui for Sunday’s Premier League fixture, citing concerns over his fitness levels.
The versatile defender will be rested ahead of the crucial second leg of the Europa League semi-final against Athletic Club.
With little recovery time between matches—though Brentford also played on the same night, securing a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest—Amorim is unwilling to take any risks that could lead to injuries before two pivotal European encounters.
The Portuguese coach is expected to rotate his squad, giving young talents like Harry Amass, Tyler Fredricson, Jaydan Kamason, Bendito Mantato, and Chido Obi an opportunity after they traveled to Spain for United’s 3-0 victory over Athletic Club.
Mazraoui, who played 74 minutes before being substituted for Luke Shaw on Thursday, will not feature in the clash at Brentford, opening up a spot at wing-back.
Bruno Fernandes, Rasmus Hojlund, Casemiro, Leny Yoro, and Viktor Lindelof all completed the full 90 minutes in Spain, meaning players like Hojlund might also be left out due to limited options in attack.
“There are some positions that we don’t have more players,” explained Amorim. “For example, Nous Mazraoui cannot play. He’s in the limit to get an injury.
“So we are going to deal with that and prepare a game against a team that they won today and is in a great moment. And we have always a responsibility to perform. We have always a responsibility to offer the result.
“But in this moment, we have to be clear. Our focus is more on saving players and trying to be competitive. It’s not a good thing to say, but we need to understand the context.”
Amorim confirmed that any player who is at risk of injury will be rotated, despite the huge prize money at stake for each higher position in the Premier League table, with United languishing in 14th.
“The first thing is that the players who are in risk to get injury will not play,” Amorim added. “No matter what. We need to take a risk in [doing] that. And then we are going to assess tomorrow [Friday] and the next day, who are the best players to start the game.
“Then we have to be careful because we are Manchester United and we cannot go to a game without thinking we can win this game. So the process is going to be like that. It’s going to be tough, but we pass so many things this year. It’s one more. Let’s see.”
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