Ruben Amorim explains early Harry Maguire exit amid injury fears | OneFootball

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has eased fears of a defensive injury crisis ahead of Thursday's Europa League quarter-final first leg against Lyon.

With Lisandro Martinez, Ayden Heaven and Jonny Evans all unavailable already, United lost Matthijs de Ligt to injury in the build-up to Sunday's Manchester derby draw, opening a spot up on the bench for 17-year-old Godwill Kukonki.

Things got even more worrying for United supporters when Harry Maguire, who looked in some discomfort, was substituted on the hour mark on what was his first start since suffering a calf injury before the March international break.

Fortunately, Amorim has stressed that Maguire remains healthy and is simply following a strict minutes programme set by the club's medical staff.

"Harry Maguire just had 60 minutes allowed from the medical department to play, so he's fit and ready to go," Amorim revealed after the game. "So we need to be careful on this."

Maguire recently returned from a calf injury / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages

Amorim continued: "It's not an injury, it's just we had a time that we could use Harry without any danger. We cannot lose any more players, we have to try to divide the moments between the players. We have a really important game on Thursday."

There was no formal update on De Ligt's condition, with the Dutchman now facing a battle to prove his fitness ahead of the Lyon game.

"Matta, he has an injury," Amorim offered. "Let's see how long it is going to take."

Amad Diallo is the only other confirmed absentee for the Lyon game as Amorim confessed midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is in with a chance of returning to the matchday squad after two months out with a muscle injury.

"Kobbie Mainoo is training with us, we want to be careful, again, with our players, but maybe he's going to be in our squad," the United boss concluded.