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By TUM BALOGUN Published: 23: 00 AEDT, 5 March 2025 | Updated: 23: 39 AEDT, 5 March 2025 44 View comments Ruben Amorim could be without two first-team stars for Manchester United's clash against Real Sociedad in the Europa League. The Red Devils are reeling from their FA Cup fifth-round defeat by Fulham at the weekend, which ended one of two unlikely routes to European football next term. United sit 14th in the Premier League as the window for securing a top-half finish - let alone qualification for Europe - closes with every poor result, amid a myriad of issues on and off the pitch. It's an unwanted set of circumstances that heaps further pressure on their Europa League campaign. Victory in the competition would grant access to the Champions League and its associated riches, which would ease the club's acute financial woes. However, Amorim has not been aided in this aim by the absence of Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte from first-team training on Wednesday. Both players sustained issues during the weekend defeat by the Cottagers. Maguire has cemented his place in the starting XI under the Portuguese boss, completing 90 minutes in 11 Premier League matches since Amorim's appointment. Ruben Amorim could be without two more first-team stars for Manchester United's Europa League clash against Real Sociedad Harry Maguire (left) and Manuel Ugarte (middle) missed training on Wednesday after picking up minor issues at the weekend The Red Devils were put through their paces during their final training session before the Sociedad clash United are looking to bounce back from their heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat by Fulham Ugarte, meanwhile, has recovered from a slow start to life at Old Trafford since his £51million move from PSG in the summer, to become a vital member of Amorim's midfield. The Old Trafford club are already without a host of players due to injury, with the likes of Lisandro Martinez and Amad Diallo ruled out until the end of the season. The return dates of England internationals Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw are unknown. Elsewhere, positive news comes from youngster Toby Collyer, who could feature against the La Liga side. In spite of the reputational and financial rewards that would come with a Europa League triumph, this week Amorim insisted that building for the future is 'more important' to the Red Devils right now. 'Of course we lost last week in the cup, so people are looking at this Europa League as the unique competition that we can win, ' he told Sky Sports. 'Also, the connection with winning the Europa League with Champions League (qualification following). 'But, to tell you the truth, I think we have bigger things to think (about). I know it's strange to say that but it's something that we are trying to build here, that is going to be more important than winning a cup in this moment. 'I know the responsibility that we have to fight for every trophy, but in this moment we are trying to build something that is going to last more than any trophy this season. '
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