Manchester United will be without striker Chido Obi for tonight’s Europa League game against Real Sociedad.
The teenager joined from Arsenal in the summer and has quickly progressed through the ranks to become part of Ruben Amorim’s first team squad.
Obi made his Premier League debut as a late substitute against Tottenham last month and has since featured in games against Everton and Fulham.
Despite the agonising nature of the penalty shootout defeat against the Cottagers in the FA Cup last weekend, Obi’s cameo was a source of real encouragement, particularly in light of Rasmus Hojlund’s struggles.
Tonight’s match would likely have provided the 17-year-old with another opportunity to impress but Ruben Amorim will have to rely on Hojlund again or Joshua Zirkzee.
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United were able to make changes to their European squad up until the middle of February and although January recruits Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven are eligible, Obi will be restricted to a watching brief.
Players under the age of 21 are usually permitted to be included on a B list for European matches, but only if they have been at their current club for a minimum of two years.
Ruben Amorim, therefore, has little option but to persist with Hojlund and hope that a striker who has gone 18 matches without a goal can play his way back into form.
‘I thought Manchester United would have a scare but get through against Fulham,’ Neville said on the latest episode of It’s Called Soccer.
‘They’ve got injuries which are a factor but the balance of the team is wrong. They’ve got no pace up front. They started with Hojlund, Zirkzee and Eriksen.
‘Hojlund had a really difficult game, it was a worry. That was my biggest takeaway from the game, there’s a lad that now hasn’t scored in 18 games.
‘I have to say I think he’s got a bit of talent and has something physically. But he’s shot at the moment and he’s really struggling. It’s sad.
‘You could see when he was subbed off, there was almost a relief in the stadium because the fans knew he had to come off.
‘But then again, what chance has Hojlund got with Zirkzee and Eriksen behind him? They haven’t got attacking full-backs either.’
Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte will miss the first leg after sitting out training on Wednesday morning.
Both players were left out of the 18-man travelling party after picking up minor injuries in Sunday’s FA Cup demise, adding to United’s lengthy list of absentees.
Amorim is already without Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez.
Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans and Mason Mount remain out and continue to do rehabilitation away from the group, as do goalkeepers Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton.
However, there was some good news with young midfielder Toby Collyer taking part in training before boarding the afternoon flight to Spain.
