Ruben Amorim admitted he was ‘really concerned’ about the injury Matthijs de Ligt sustained in Manchester United’s 4-3 defeat to Brentford.
United’s dismal Premier League form continued on Sunday as a much-changed Red Devils team were beaten in a seven-goal thriller at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Amorim rung the changes with the Premier League clash sitting in the middle of the crucial Europa League semi-final tie against Athletic Bilbao.
But the United boss was forced into making a first-half substitution as De Ligt broke down and had to be replaced by Harry Maguire.
Asked for an update on the Dutch defender’s fitness after the game, Amorim said: ‘I don’t know so I’m really concerned – not about Thursday.
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‘We took off Luke Shaw at half-time to protect and have players for Thursday, but I’m more concerned whether it is a small or big injury and thinking about next season.’
Mason Mount gave Manchester United an early lead with just his second goal for the club but Brentford equalised through a Luke Shaw own goal.
A brace from Kevin Schade then put the hosts in control and the game appeared over when Yoane Wissa added Brentford’s fourth with 20 minutes remaining.
Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo pulled two goals back but Brentford held on to win 4-3 despite a nervy ending to the Premier League fixture.
The defeat leaves Manchester United 15th in the English top-flight with three games remaining, while Brentford climb to ninth as they target European qualification.
‘We started well, we controlled quite well and then throw-ins and set-pieces was a problem for us, but that is normal for us because we didn’t have the height with the team,’ Amorim added.
‘We fought back and we were near – we tried to push and in the end we lose.
‘I have no doubt that we are playing better. So we have to take all the heat. At this moment we are losing games in the Premier League.
‘We are fighting for the Europe league and Thursday is the most important game for us.
‘We are not ready to play Premier League competitive and be in the Champions League, but we need to win and we need to win this competition to give something to our fans.
‘Then we will have time to prepare the team to cope with those two competitions.’
Manchester United have now not won a Premier League game since March 16 when they thumped relegated Leicester City.
United goalscorer Mount said: ‘We need to do better. We need to win this game. We started well but that second half and end of the first half conceding goals where we knew what was coming.
‘We knew they put crosses in box and we need to defend that better. We can perform better in the game.
‘There was changes but it’s Manchester United so any team that goes out there that puts on the shirt we need to perform and win games.
‘I know there’s a big game on Thursday but first and foremost was today. We needed to win the game but we didn’t.’
Amorim can now prepare for the second leg of Manchester United’s Europa League semi-final against Athletic Bilbao. United won the first leg 3-0.
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