Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt return to Manchester United training ahead of Europa League semi-final

Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt have returned to training for Manchester United ahead of their Europa League semi-final with Athletic Club.

De Ligt has been out for United’s last six games with a foot injury, missing both legs of the unforgettable triumph over Lyon in the quarter-finals.

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While Ruben Amorim has frequently rotated his back three, De Ligt has been one of the mainstays of the back line and will be a welcome return to the squad when back to full fitness.

But it is Amad who may prove to be the difference-maker as United enter a crucial part of the season, needing to win the Europa League to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League.

Prior to his injury, the Ivorian had been one of the very few bright spots for the Red Devils this term, scoring six goals and laying on six assists in 22 Premier League games, including a dramatic late hat-trick against Southampton in January and a late winner against Manchester City at the Etihad.

The 22-year-old suffered an ankle injury in February, missing the last two-and-a-half months, and was initially expected to be out for the season.

Luckily for Amorim, he looks set to welcome the winger back ahead of schedule in what would be a huge boost for the Portuguese head coach.

While Amorim’s men have been toothless through the campaign, their attack has looked notably blunter for Amad’s absence.

In the 17 games Amad has started, United have scored 24 goals, compared 15 goals in the 17 games he hasn’t started.

While the side’s problems won’t be resolved with any one player, Amorim has clearly missed one of his most talented attackers who’s played as a winger, a number 10 and as a wing-back, and his versatility will make him a crucial squad member as Amorim looks to rebuild his squad over the summer.

Despite his six goals this term, Amad isn’t a natural goalscorer and many of his and United’s best performances came when he was deployed as a makeshift wing-back, able to occupy wide areas and run at defences.

It may be that Amorim sees his long-term future there with reports that Matheus Cunha is set to arrive over the summer, or Amorim may want to keep Amad in more dangerous positions further up the pitch.

Ahead of what will be an extremely busy summer at Old Trafford, the club are reported to be keen on signing Wolves’ Cunha as well as one other centre forward, one central midfielder and potentially defensive reinforcements.

Liam Williams

• Manchester United F.C.
• Europa League
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