Ruben Amorim has confirmed that Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte and Christian Eriksen are in contention to feature for Manchester United in Saturday’s clash against Everton. The trio missed last Sunday’s defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, but they are fit and available for United’s final visit to Goodison Park.
Amorim was without 12 first-team players as he suffered a 1-0 loss in north London, his eighth in 12 Premier League matches.
But the Portuguese head coach’s woes have slightly softened ahead of a somewhat daunting meeting with David Moyes’ rejuvenated Everton.
The Toffees have enjoyed a dramatic upturn in fortunes since Moyes’ return to Merseyside, winning four of their last five league games and drawing the other against leaders Liverpool.
United won’t be the favourites at Saturday lunchtime, but Amorim has been aided by the return of three players who could return to the starting lineup.
“Yes [it has been a better week than last] because we didn’t lose players. We have recovered players. Chris [Eriksen], Manu [Ugarte] and Leny [Yoro] return,” Amorim explained on Friday.
The 40-year-old also confirmed that Toby Collyer was nearing a return to fitness but couldn’t offer updates on long-term absentees Luke Shaw and Mason Mount.
He also remained tight-lipped on Kobbie Mainoo, Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton, but none are expected to be back in contention in the near future.
United players enjoyed a team bonding night out in Manchester on Wednesday. The group were spotted entering a seven-pin bowling venue before going for a meal at a nearby restaurant.
On whether he had seen the rewards of the evening activities, Amorim insisted that his players also bond in training but are currently struggling to translate their relationships into matches.
He added: “They are improving, creating relationships. Even the sound of the training is different.
“But we have to use that in the game, and we have to take that step. I feel in training, we are bonding and understanding the way we want to play, but then in a game, we struggle a lot.”
Amorim was later asked to clarify how the “sound” of training had changed over his first few months as United boss.
“The sound is like when you are training, and you are doing an exercise – you feel the sound,” he explained.
“People are talking, asking for the ball, giving directions and talking with each other. You can feel it in the environment.
“If you spend your life as a player and a coach, even the sound of the training is important, and I feel we are changing that.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk