Ruben Amorim confirms bitter Man Utd injury blow for Lyon game: 'He will be out'

Manchester United will be without for their crucial game against Lyon on Thursday after he picked up an injury against . in the on Sunday – and the miserable result was made worse by a suspected hamstring injury for Zirkzee.

at St James’ Park, where goals from Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes sandwiched a brace from Harvey Barnes. Alejandro Garnacho’s well-taken finish sent United in at half-time with the score at 1-1 and a glimmer of hope, but it quickly evaporated in a second half drubbing.

Amorim , handing and Harry Amass, but they had no impact. What’s worse, his rotation didn’t have the desired effect of keeping his squad fresh ahead of the all-important quarter-final second leg against Lyon.

Zirkzee started the game up front but pulled up while sprinting and had to be replaced by Rasmus Hojlund in the 56th minute. The Dutchman sank to the turf in pain and had to be helped off the pitch by United’s medical staff, with Amorim confirming he will be sidelined for some time.

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“We had to make [a] rotation because we are trying to recover in two days from each game," he told MUTV. "But trying to win this game also. Josh, I think he will be out for some games. So, let’s focus on the next one.”

Zirkzee only has seven goals in 48 games this season for United, but his absence will be a major blow for Amorim, who has come to rely upon him up front in recent weeks. But the Portuguese coach was clear in his answer when quizzed on whether he had any regrets with his starting line-up against Newcastle.

"No, nothing. Nothing because we did mistakes and they were better,” he told reporters. “Even if we put a different XI, I don't know the result. But then we had to make choices as we played three days ago.

"So you can see with Josh, he was fresh but had some problem. So, sometimes, we need to make choices and then we don't know the result, even with a different XI."

Asked if he switched focus to the Lyon game – which holds the only route to qualification next season – after Zirkzee was forced off, Amorim said: "Yes, I was waiting for 60 minutes, more or less, but then with Josh, I was a little bit, not afraid, but trying to avoid any more [injuries]."

Amorim also refused to be drawn on whether Andre Onana would come straight back into the side for the Lyon game, having been dropped from the squad altogether on Sunday. "You guys have to wait,” he said. “We are going to start the next week tomorrow and then I'm going to choose the best starting XI for the next one."

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