Ruben Amorim willing to take risks as Man Utd prioritise Europa League

Ruben Amorim knows it is a “risk” to rotate when Manchester United return to Premier League action at Brentford on Sunday but says he has to prioritise their quest for Europa League glory.

The Red Devils took a huge step towards the final with Thursday’s impressive 3-0 semi-final first leg win against Athletic Bilbao at San Mames, where the showpiece will take place against Tottenham or Bodo/Glimt on May 21st.

The Europa League offers silverware and much-needed Champions League qualification for a United side enduring their worst ever Premier League campaign, leaving them 14th on a meagre 39 points with four games to play.

Sunday’s trip to Brentford is up next and Amorim is ready to gamble on the result at the Gtech Community Stadium, but not players’ welfare with a key second leg against Athletic to come on Thursday.

“We know that we have always a responsibility but in this moment we have to take a risk,” Amorim said.

“There are some positions that we don’t have more players. For example, Nous Mazraoui cannot play.

“He is in the limit to get an injury, so we are going to deal with that and prepare a game against a team that won (against Nottingham Forest) and is in the great moment.

“We have always a responsibility to perform. We have always a responsibility of the result. But in this moment we have to be clear: our focus is more on saving players and trying to be competitive. It’s not a good thing to say but we need to understand the context.”

United’s expanded 26-man squad for the trip to Bilbao pointed towards possible changes as the side stayed to train in Spain on Friday.

Chido Obi, 17, and Sekou Kone, 19, travelled despite being ineligible for the Europa League, while Bendito Mantato, 17, and Jaydan Kamason, 18,