Man Utd face defensive crisis ahead of Chelsea clash amid Europa League focus

Man Utd sweating over fitness of four defenders ahead of Chelsea trip

Manchester United are dealing with a significant injury crisis in defence as they prepare to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Friday evening, with head coach Ruben Amorim confirming up to six defenders could be unavailable.

While United have little to play for in the Premier League, all attention is now shifting to their Europa League final showdown with Tottenham Hotspur, and Amorim has admitted his domestic lineups will be influenced by the need to protect key players.

Injury list grows ahead of Chelsea clash

Among the long-term absentees are centre-backs Lisandro Martinez and Jonny Evans, neither of whom are expected to return this season. Promising youth talent Ayden Heaven has also been sidelined since March.

Adding to the concern, recent injuries have struck Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, and Diogo Dalot, all of whom are serious doubts for both the Chelsea clash and the Europa League final in Bilbao next week.

“I don’t know if they’re going to be available [for the final],” Amorim told reporters. “We’re going to try and push. All the players want to play really bad. I don’t think they’ll go to Chelsea, but there’s a possibility for some in the final.”

Amorim focused on player preservation

Amorim stressed that United will approach the Chelsea match with caution, opting to rest or rotate key players rather than risk losing them for the season-defining final.

“If there is a player that can get an injury and is not recovered for this game, and that puts him in risk for the final, he will not play,” he said.

However, the manager added that a nine-day layoff between games could be detrimental to his players’ sharpness, hinting that some first-team regulars will still feature against Chelsea to maintain rhythm and match fitness.

“We cannot spend eight or nine days without a game. That is a bad thing for the final, so I think they will be prepared for the game.”

Defensive depth tested

With so many first-choice defenders unavailable, Amorim could be forced to turn to emergency options from the academy or midfielders capable of filling in. The precarious situation mirrors the club’s earlier defensive issues this season and has raised concerns about United’s squad depth under pressure.

This is yet another test for Amorim, who is navigating the final weeks of his first season in charge while aiming to bring European silverware back to Old Trafford.

Focus shifts to Tottenham and Bilbao

United’s trip to Chelsea may lack immediate stakes, but for Amorim and his squad, it serves as a critical preparation platform for their biggest fixture of the season. Victory in Bilbao would not only secure a European trophy but also confirm qualification for next season’s Champions League, salvaging an otherwise inconsistent campaign.

Until then, all eyes will be on the training ground — and the treatment room — as Amorim assesses whether his defensive unit can recover in time to face Tottenham on the European stage.

Stay tuned to The Horizons Times for the latest updates on Manchester United's injury situation, team selection and Europa League final preparations.