Man Utd could be about to anger Gary Neville. (Image: THE OVERLAP)
turns 50 a couple of days after he’ll no doubt be part of the panel when visit in the . But may have no option but to gift him the birthday equivalent of coal in a stocking after suffering an injury nightmare this week.
According to , Kobbie Mainoo will miss at least a couple of weeks due to an injury he picked up in training during the build-up.
To make matters worse, fellow midfielders Manuel Ugarte and Toby Collyer are also major doubts for the trip to north London with their own fitness concerns.
It leaves Amorim with a nasty dilemma ahead of the 14th vs 13th clash against ‘s similarly injury-hit side.
The automatic solution would be to hand Casemiro and Christian Eriksen rare starts in the midfield, with operating with Amad or Alejandro Garnacho further forward.
However, it’s no surprise that Amorim hasn’t used that combination in the Premier League since its last run out in the 2-0 defeat against United on December 31.
With Ugarte and Fernandes suspended at Old Trafford, Eddie Howe’s energetic, high-octane engine room ran rings around the veteran pair, who both will have turned 33 by the end of March.
Casemiro and Christian Eriksen could start. (Image: Getty)
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Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali dominated so comfortably that Amorim was forced to introduce Mainoo for Joshua Zirkzee after 33 minutes as midfield backup.
After full-time, Neville didn’t hold back with his assessment of Casemiro and Eriksen’s deficiencies, urging United against using the partnership again.
“Casemiro and Eriksen in midfield are like mannequins. Little one-two around them, it’s so easy,” a deflated Neville explained.
“They’ve been two fabulous players throughout their careers, but the last thing either of them wants to see is the other next to them.
“All you want around you is legs. They shouldn’t be playing a game together in the Premier League. They really shouldn’t.”
Since that loss, Eriksen has played just 10 minutes of Premier League football, acting as an unused substitute in three of five games.
It’s an even bleaker situation for Casemiro, who has watched every single league minute from the bench since being hauled off against the Magpies.
Both midfielders are expected to leave United in the summer, but Amorim could be forced to call on them at the Stadium.
Happy Birthday, Mr Neville…