Manchester United handed new injury scare against Fulham as Real Sociedad and Arsenal tests loom | OneFootball

Ruben Amorim’s selection issues mount ahead of Europa League last-16 first-leg clash in Spain

Manchester United will check on the fitness of Harry Maguire ahead of Thursday night’s Europa League last-16 first-leg tie against Real Sociedad.

The centre-back has enjoyed a strong career resurgence at Old Trafford of late despite United’s ongoing struggles, leading to calls for a return to the England fold as Thomas Tuchel prepares to name his first squad this month for 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia at Wembley.

Maguire started again for United at home on Sunday alongside Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro as part of a three-man defence to take on Fulham in the fifth round of the FA Cup, glancing a late header straight at Bernd Leno in the closing stages of normal time after Bruno Fernandes’ fine effort had cancelled out a first-half header from Calvin Bassey.

However, the 31-year-old was substituted before the start of extra time having appeared to have suffered a knock, with 18-year-old defender Ayden Heaven - a January recruit from Arsenal - introduced for his senior United debut instead.

Another injury concern was the last thing that manager Ruben Amorim needed as his struggles continued with a penalty shootout defeat by Fulham that saw Leno save consecutive spot-kicks from Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee, with none of his absent players able to return on Sunday, though Alejandro Garnacho did come off the bench after a knock.

United remain without the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martinez, Amad Diallo, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Altay Bayindir, Jonny Evans and Toby Collyer due to injury, while January signing Patrick Dorgu began a three-match domestic ban against Fulham after being sent off in the chaotic midweek Premier League victory over Ipswich in which Maguire netted the winning goal.

Such a lengthy absentee list led Amorim to name only seven substitutes on Sunday instead of the usual nine, including two young goalkeepers in Hubert Graczyk and Will Murdock - their third and fourth-choice options, the latter of whom played 120 minutes himself in the FA Youth Cup quarter-final win over Arsenal on Friday night.

United can ill afford any further injury blows ahead of their two-legged tie against LaLiga side Sociedad and the top-flight visit of Arsenal to Old Trafford on March 9. United also travel to Leicester before an international break that is followed by tough games against Nottingham Forest and Manchester City.

Asked for an update on Maguire after the agonising Fulham defeat, Amorim said: “I have to see how Harry Maguire is. It’s a tough moment in that aspect, but we have to move on. We will be a competitive team on Thursday.”