Ruben Amorim could unleash new Manchester United midfield vs Rangers
For the second week running, Manchester United face the challenge of playing twice in a little under 72 hours.
Following tonight's clash with Rangers at Old Trafford in their penultimate Europa League league phase fixture, United will immediately switch their focus to Sunday night's trip to Craven Cottage to face Fulham in the Premier League.
Ahead of Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, head coach Ruben Amorim said he had to rotate to avoid unwanted injury issues occurring further down the line.
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He made three changes, dropping Lisandro Martinez, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund to the bench.
However, United's central-midfield partnership remained unchanged for the fourth game running, with Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo given another opportunity to develop their partnership and understanding.
Since performing excellently as individuals and as a paring in the 2-2 with Liverpool at Anfield earlier this month, they have firmly established themselves as Amorim's first-choice central-midfielders. They have the qualities that enable them to form a balanced partnership.
Ugarte is the midfield enforcer United had been craving for several years, with the Uruguayan providing the steel and grit that had been missing. Mainoo is a more adventurous operator, meaning Ugarte's presence allows him to get on the ball and advance into more enterprising areas of the pitch.
But given the fact United's fixture schedule is becoming clogged again after a brief period of respite after a relentless December, Amorim must consider their respective loads. He admitted ahead of the defeat to Brighton that it was "impossible" to go from game to game without rotating.
Both Christian Eriksen and Casemiro have struggled for minutes in recent weeks, with only Eriksen featuring since the turn of the year. His only appearance in 2025 so far was a seven-minute cameo against Southampton.
Both turning 33 next month and facing the increasing likelihood of exits later this year, they have recently been overtaken by Toby Collyer in the pecking order. The 21-year-old has featured in each of United's last three matches via the substitutes bench, storing 101 minutes under his belt.
He made his first appearance under Amorim in the closing stages of the FA Cup triumph over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium and was absolutely excellent. Down to ten men, United needed an injection of energy and he provided exactly that, chasing down every lost cause. He never stopped running.
He offered the same levels of energy and determination when introduced against Southampton last Thursday night to help United recover from a goal down and record an unlikely 3-1 win. He was smooth and accurate with his passing, completing 95 per cent of his attempted passes, and won two tackles.
He also completed 18 of his 19 attempted passes against Brighton, but it was not enough to prevent United from being beaten. Nevertheless, it was another opportunity for him to show to Amorim what he can offer.
Having leapfrogged Casemiro and Eriksen in the pecking order, Collyer's next challenge is to earn himself a start. His only previous start for United came under Erik ten Hag when he was deployed out-of-position at left-back for the 7-0 rout of Barnsley in the Carabao Cup back in September.
But having shown to Amorim what he can offer from the centre of midfield in recent matches, he has done enough to suggest he would be ready to earn a first start for United in his natural position.
Amorim knows injuries will become an increasing possibility if he does not rotate his team, meaning the possibility of dropping either Mainoo or Ugarte, who have looked somewhat tired and uninspiring in the last couple of games, for the visit of Rangers could open the door for Collyer to make his mark.
United desperately need a result this evening and an injection of fresh energy into the team would do their chances no harm. Collyer has proven he can offer the energy United have recently been lacking.