‘Had to let him go’ – Ruben Amorim gives Victor Lindelof and Noussair Mazraoui update after stars leave Lyon game early
RUBEN AMORIM has said he “had to” let his players go after Victor Lindelof and Noussair Mazraoui were forced to leave Old Trafford early last night.
The Manchester United defenders both left the ground at half-time as the Red Devils pulled off a miracle comeback to beat Lyon 5-4 and advance to the Europa League semi-finals.
Ruben Amorim‘s side were without the pair as they scored THREE extra-time goals to come from 4-2 down and win the game.
After the match Amorim revealed that the pair were both forced to exit the Theatre of Dreams due to personal matters.
Now the United boss has given another update on the duo, explaining that they will be able to return to action for this weekend’s Premier League clash with Wolves.
Asked about Lindelof’s absence, he said: “He’s available. He has personal issues like Nous [Mazraoui] so we had to let him go but everything is OK now.
“I know that football is really important but there are things that are more important and then they will be ready to face the next game.”
Amorim didn’t divulge exactly what issues the pair had encountered, but reassured fans that they are both fine.
“Both [issues came to light] during the game and sometimes you don’t control these things”, he added.
“Everything happened this season, but everything is OK now.”
Man Utd ratings vs Lyon
MANCHESTER UNITED scored three goals in seven unbelievable minutes to beat Lyon in one of the all-time great nights at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils looked to be putting in one of their best displays since Ruben Amorim took over as they raced into a 2-0 lead.
But after conceding one goal, they let the ground slip from under them, quickly giving away another to allow Lyon to take the game to extra time.
Not even a red card for Corentin Tolisso could get United out of their slump as the French side completely dominated most of the additional 30 minutes.
Rayan Cherki and an Alexandre Lacazette penalty meant the visitors looked home and hosed before Casemiro was fouled and Bruno Fernandes hit home from the spot.
Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire then both netted in stoppage time of extra time to secure a scarcely believable win.
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SunSport understands that both issues were independent of each other.
Lindelof, 30, had been warming up at half-time and was due to replace Mazraoui.
However, the Swedish international’s emergency meant Luke Shaw had to come on instead.
United did just fine in the absence of Lindelof and Mazraoui as they pulled off one of the greatest European nights in Old Trafford history.
Amorim’s side had blown their own 2-0 advantage to fall 4-2 behind to their French opponents with just over 10 minutes to play in extra-time.
But a 114th minute Bruno Fernandes penalty was followed by goals at the death by Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire to keep Man Utd’s season alive and send Old Trafford into a frenzy of celebration.
Amorim had thrown 6ft 4in Maguire up front in the late stages to push for a winning goal.
And the gamble paid off when the England centre-back nodded the ball past Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri in the 121st minute to cause utter bedlam in the stands.
Explaining the decision after the game, he said: “We tried to put Harry Maguire up front because he is the only one who can score a goal with a header.
“The sounds of the stadium was the best ever. Some people collect shirts, scarves, but I want to keep that sound, it’s the best sound in the world.”