Fri May 16 18:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Amorim Prioritizes Chelsea Clash Despite Europa League Final Looming

**Manchester, England** – Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim insists Friday’s Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge will not be treated as a mere warm-up for next week’s Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao. While acknowledging the importance of the final, Amorim stressed that players need game time to avoid rustiness and that the Chelsea match presents an opportunity to sharpen their form.

“The best thing to prepare the final is to play the game,” Amorim stated, emphasizing that unless a player is at risk of aggravating an existing injury, they will be expected to play. He added that performance against Chelsea would have no bearing on final selection for Bilbao.

United are currently winless in their last seven league games, increasing the pressure to secure a positive result against Chelsea. Amorim admitted that the Chelsea game would offer a valuable chance for players to impress and potentially earn a place in his starting XI for the Europa League final. “Even the way we play there, against Chelsea, I will see it and it’s going to be important for the next one,” he said.

United are dealing with several injury concerns ahead of the game. Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Ayden Heaven, and Leny Yoro are all doubtful, with Amorim indicating only a “possibility” of some returning for the final. Lisandro Martinez and Joshua Zirkzee are confirmed absentees, while Toby Collyer and Jonny Evans have returned to training and could be in contention.

Chelsea also face their own selection issues. Nicolas Jackson is suspended following his red card against Newcastle, and Jadon Sancho is ineligible to play against his parent club. Injuries to Marc Guiu, Christopher Nkunku, Wesley Fofana, Omari Kellyman, and Mykhailo Mudryk further limit Chelsea’s options, potentially forcing manager Mauricio Pochettino to deploy Pedro Neto or youngster Tyrique George as a makeshift striker.

Despite the looming Europa League final, Amorim remains focused on the immediate challenge of Chelsea, stating, “I’m just preparing the game of Chelsea, that is my focus. We want to win and we want to perform.”

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