Ruben Amorim explains record-breaking Man Utd team news decision against Brentford | OneFootball

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim insisted that the club "need to focus a lot on our young players" by way of explaining why he chose a starting XI against Brentford on Sunday afternoon which broke multiple records.

At the tender age of 17 years and 156 days, Chido Obi became the youngest United player to ever be named in the starting XI of a Premier League match. The collective age of the 11 starters (22 years and 270 days) was also the youngest United have ever boasted in the competition's history.

When presented with these historic milestones, Amorim remained defiantly phlegmatic. "For me, it is not a massive game for Chido," he told Sky Sports ahead of kick-off. "I know it's important for Chido, but I don't want a lot of pressure on Chido.

"He played really well in the minutes against Wolverhampton [Wanderers]. I feel he is ready to cope with the demands of the Premier League."

The teenage striker is no stranger to toppling records. The former Arsenal academy star has made a habit of surpassing countless milestones in youth-team football and has now begun rewriting the history books at senior level.

Obi's inclusion was one of eight changes to the starting lineup as Amorim lived up to his promise of widespread rotation.

The Red Devils boss has done little to hide the fact that the club's undisputed priority for the remainder of the season is the Europa League. United are in a strong position after of their semi-final second leg against Athletic Club on Thursday after romping to a deserved 3-0 victory in Bilbao earlier this week, yet Amorim was in no mood to risk any injuries to his first-choice XI.

"We have always a responsibility to perform," the 40-year-old admitted in his pre-match press conference. "We have always a responsibility of the result. But in this moment we have to be clear: our focus is more on saving players and trying to be competitive. It's not a good thing to say but we need to understand the context."

Talismanic club captain Bruno Fernandes was dropped to the bench alongside Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund. First-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana wasn't even included among the substitutes, missing out on the squad entirely as Altay Bayindir patrolled the posts while Tom Heaton took his place on the sidelines.

Alejandro Garnacho was one of only three players to retain their starting position and echoed his manager's stance. "We got a very good away result [against Athletic]," the winger noted. "It is important for us to be in that final.

"The Premier League is also important, but it is a difficult moment. At this point the Europa League semi-final and then the final is the main focus, but a club like Manchester United you have to try win every game."