Picture Credit: X
Manchester United have been dealt a significant blow ahead of their crucial Europa League quarter-final second leg against Olympique Lyon, with manager Rúben Amorim confirming that striker Joshua Zirkzee will miss the remainder of the season due to a hamstring injury. The injury occurred during United's recent 1-4 Premier League defeat to Newcastle United, where Zirkzee was forced off the pitch. United endured a disheartening defeat at St. James Park on Sunday, marking their 14th Premier League loss of the season; equalling their worst record since the 1989–90 campaign.
The match began with Newcastle's Sandro Tonali opening the scoring in the 24th minute. United responded through Alejandro Garnacho, who netted an equalizer in the 37th minute. However, the second half saw Newcastle dominate, with Harvey Barnes scoring twice and Bruno Guimaraes adding a fourth, capitalizing on a mistake by United's debutant goalkeeper Altay Bayindir. Zirkzee's absence leaves Rasmus Hojlund as the sole senior striker available for selection, placing additional pressure on the Danish forward to lead the line in the upcoming fixture.
Man Utd. face tough test against Lyon on Friday
Looking ahead, Manchester United face Olympique Lyonnais in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final at Old Trafford. The first leg ended in a 2-2 draw, with United's goals coming from Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee. Goalkeeper Andre Onana, who was rested against Newcastle, is set to return for this crucial fixture. Amorim emphasized the importance of managing players' mental and physical well-being, explaining that Onana’s previous omission was intended to benefit both him and the team.
With their Premier League campaign faltering, the Europa League represents United's best opportunity for silverware and European qualification. A victory against Lyon would set up a semi-final clash against either Rangers or Athletic Bilbao, offering a chance to salvage a challenging season.
