Ruben Amorim could be without two more Man United undroppables for first game
Ruben Amorim could be without two more key players for his first game as Manchester United manager.
The current Sporting CP manager will join United 'once he has fulfilled his obligations to his current club' on Monday, November 11. In between now and then, the Reds will face PAOK Thessaloniki FC in the Europa League and Leicester in the Premier League. Both games are at home.
Although Amorim will want to play the team that he wants to play in the first game, two crucial players may be unplayable - and it is out of his hands. Lisandro Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo are one booking away each from getting a one-game suspension after they have both collected four yellow cards over the season.
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Martinez received his latest yellow card in the 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday in the 93rd minute of the game. Mainoo on the other hand suffered a muscle injury in yet another bore draw against Aston Villa. He has missed the last four matches yet still has four cards hovering over him.
Since Mainoo's breakthrough last season, he has been a standout player amongst a faltering United squad. His dribbling skill alongside his passing ability has resulted in him being a missed player recently.
Although Leicester is a potential return date for Mainoo, Ruud van Nistelrooy, the current interim manager, may be wise to save him until he is 100% ready for the first game under Amorim against Ipswich.
Although United have experienced a difficult start to the season, they are tied second in the league for most clean sheets with four. Only Liverpool are above them with five. As much as United's defence still needs to improve, Martinez is a key member of that back line and someone who Amorim will want to use from the get-go.
Looking further forward, United could find themselves in a defensive mess. If Diogo Dalot and Harry Maguire get one more card each, that would leave three out of the four defenders playing nervously trying to avoid a suspension. The yellow cards do reset after 19 games (halfway point of the season).
Amorim will certainly be watching the next game against Leicester, although he may be a bit nervous. And this is before he is even in Manchester.