Three United Stars Out for Everton as Amorim Maps December Challenges

Injury Updates and Return Timetable

Ruben Amorim spoke at a Friday press conference ahead of Manchester United's Monday night clash with Everton, the second weekend of the Premier League schedule. The session shed light on injuries and fitness concerns, alongside tactical plans for the upcoming stretch as United seek to maintain momentum after a positive run.

Amorim confirmed that three senior players will miss the Everton game: Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko, English defender Harry Maguire, and midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. Each has a different return timetable, with all three unavailable for the fixture.

Sesko will be out for several weeks, though the issue is not deemed serious. The club will manage him carefully and expects a return within weeks as rehab progresses, balancing recovery with a packed December calendar.

Maguire is not yet ready to feature and will be assessed in the coming days as the team monitors his condition ahead of kickoff.

Mainoo missed Friday training, but Amorim remained cautiously optimistic that he could participate in the next session. If he proves fit at the last moment, he could be involved in a limited capacity.

Return timing and AFCON impact

Amorim also addressed Sesko's likely return window, noting it could align with AFCON-bound players traveling to duty with their national teams, such as Bryan Mbouimo and Amad Diallo. He stressed that nothing is certain, but the timing is a crucial factor in planning amid a congested December schedule.

The club is attempting to negotiate delayed departures for these players, outlining clear guidelines about when they can be released for national duty. The objective is to retain continuity and minimize disruptions ahead of important fixtures.

Any potential delay would be vital given United's calendar and the heavy holiday load of matches.

Midfield options and Shaw’s versatility

Amorim also touched on the possibility of deploying Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez in a holding midfield role in emergencies. He stressed that this would be an emergency measure rather than a permanent change, contingent on careful risk assessment given his recent injury history.

Luke Shaw's versatility was highlighted as well; he can operate as a left-back or a left winger, with the physical demands slightly different between the two roles. Shaw is described as smart and capable of adapting to the duties required in either position.

Season review and the youth pathway

On his first year in charge, Amorim reflected on the challenges and surprises of English football and the club culture, saying the Premier League is perhaps the best in the world and United among the best. United currently enjoy a relatively stable spell, with three wins and two draws in the last five matches, keeping pace near the top. Yet Amorim warned not to read too much into a positive run: every match must be treated as a final, and performance must improve daily.

He emphasized that the team is gaining greater control, delivering better football, and becoming more competitive across all areas.

Youth promotion and first-team integration

Looking ahead, promising youngsters Harry Amas and Radik Vitik are undergoing close evaluation for potential first-team involvement next season. Amas, 18, is on loan at Sheffield Wednesday in League One, where he has started 11 matches and earned trust from both United and the loan club. Vitik, 22, has featured for Bristol City in the Championship with a notable record of clean sheets. Although not yet a first-team regular, he impressed in a friendly against Rosenborg prior to the previous season, and the club continues to monitor his development carefully. With Tom Heaton approaching 40 and Altay Bayındır’s future uncertain, the squad is keen to bolster goalkeeper depth as part of long-term planning.

Youth development remains a central pillar as United balance a demanding schedule with the goal of building a sustainable pipeline to the first team.

Punchlines for the road: Punchline 1: If injuries were a transfer window, United’s would be a reverse one—more excuses in the locker than players on the pitch. Punchline 2: December calendar? United aren’t chasing presents, they’re chasing minutes on the clock. So long as the physios don’t file a holiday complaint, we’re good.