Amad, De Ligt, Heaven - Manchester United injury news and return dates before Athletic Bilbao
Man United drew 1-1 with Bournemouth on Sunday and now they must prepare for their biggest game in years away at Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League.
Manchester United drew with Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday, and now attention turns to their huge clash with Athletic Bilbao.
United need to win the Europa League to have something to show for their awful campaign. They are already guaranteed to record their lowest points total of the Premier League era and failed to make the latter stages of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup.
Their chances of qualifying for the Champions League via their final league standing ended months ago, but the Europa League offers them a backdoor entrance to the competition. Standing in their way at the semi-final stage is Athletic Bilbao, La Liga's fourth-placed side.
United will travel to Bilbao on Wednesday ahead of the massive game at the Estadio San Mamés on Thursday.
Ahead of the game, we've had a look at the latest on the United injury front...
Diogo Dalot
Injury: calf
Amorim confirmed on Friday that Diogo Dalot had picked up a knock in the defeat to Wolves.
It's unclear whether the Portugal international will feature again this season. Speaking to the media, Amorim said: "He has something in his muscle, his calf, he had a sequence of games, he played all the time, we try to manage but the players play a lot of minutes and not so ready to cope with that. Dalot felt something.
"We don’t know how long he’s going to be out. But he's out for these next games."
Possible return date: unknown.
Matthijs de Ligt
Injury: ankle
De Ligt turned his ankle in the closing stages of the first half of United's 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest earlier this month and he has not featured since, despite playing on until the end at the City Ground.
Issuing an injury update on the Dutchman on Friday, Amorim said he was 'near'.
Possible return date: Athletic Bilbao (May 1).
Ayden Heaven
Injury: knock
After missing United's first three games after the March international break, Heaven was back in the squad against Newcastle United, being named among the substitutes.
However, he has not featured in any of United's matchday squads since then after suffering a "small setback", according to club sources.
Issuing an update on Friday, Amorim said: "Ayden is not ready, so that’s it."
Possible return date: unknown.
Lisandro Martinez
Injury: anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
Martinez is a long-term absentee after rupturing his ACL in United's 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at the start of February. He soon underwent successful surgery and is continuing with his recovery.
United have not put a specific timeframe on how long he will be out for, but he will not play again this season. ACL injuries usually take around six months to fully recover from.
Possible return date: August.
Toby Collyer
Injury: leg
Collyer has suffered an injury that is not thought to be serious. "Toby has a small issue in his leg," said Amorim, speaking recently. "We hope to have him in a few weeks."
Possible return date: unknown.
Amad
Injury: ankle
United lost Amad to an ankle injury prior to February's Premier League defeat to Tottenham and Amorim admitted he expected to be without him for the rest of the season.
However, the United boss admitted last month he may be back before the end of the season.
Issuing an injury update on the forward on Friday, Amorim said he was 'near'.
Possible return date: May.
Joshua Zirkzee
Injury: hamstring
Zirkzee was forced off with a hamstring injury just ten minutes into the second half of the defeat to Newcastle. He was able to walk off the field, but he required help from two members of the United medical team. Unfortunately, he will now miss the remainder of the season.
"Joshua is out for the season, so he's not going to play any more this season," Amorim said. "Let's prepare him for the next one.
"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 now to recover."
Possible return date: pre-season.