Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte are set to miss Manchester United’s Europa League clash with Real Sociedad after sitting out training on Wednesday.
The pair picked up minor injuries during Sunday’s FA Cup penalty shootout defeat to Fulham and are not expected to travel to Spain for the first leg of the last-16 tie.
Their absence adds to Manchester United’s already lengthy injury list as Ruben Amorim faces mounting selection problems.
United’s manager had already been preparing for Thursday’s match without Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez.
Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans and Mason Mount also remain unavailable and continue rehabilitation away from the main group.
Goalkeepers Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton are additional absentees from Amorim’s squad.
There was one positive note from the training session at Carrington. Young midfielder Toby Collyer returned to action after spending a month on the sidelines.
“Toby Collyer trained on Wednesday after injury and is expected to travel,” United confirmed in a statement on social media.
The club also revealed that several academy prospects participated in the open training session on Wednesday.
Jack Fletcher, Harry Amass, Jack Moorhouse and James Scanlon were all involved as Amorim considers turning to youth to bolster his depleted squad.
Promising 17-year-old striker Chido Obi will not be an option, however. The youngster has not been registered for the Europa League competition.
January signing Patrick Dorgu is available for selection. His three-match suspension only affects domestic fixtures.
United defender Matthijs de Ligt is scheduled to speak alongside Amorim at the pre-match press conference in Spain on Wednesday evening.
The Europa League represents United’s final chance of silverware this season, with the team looking to bounce back from their disappointing cup exit against Fulham.
Amorim had expressed concern about Maguire immediately after Sunday’s match. “I have to see how Harry Maguire is. It’s a tough moment in that aspect, but we have to move on. We will be a competitive team on Thursday,” he said.
Despite the growing injury challenges, United remain unbeaten in continental competition this term, having finished third in the initial league phase of the Europa League.
