Huge injury boost, Garnacho decision: Things spotted in Man Utd training for Europa League final

Europa League final preparations are well and truly underway, with already in Bilbao and set for their final training session in the Spanish city before Wednesday's showpiece event.

Their opponents have done things slightly differently, saving their final training session before the big game for back in Manchester, before flying out later on Tuesday.

It's a crucial game for both clubs as they target European glory and a place in the next season. It's no exaggeration to say that the match will be transformative for each team, regardless of whether they win or lose.

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Pressure has built on both managers after poor seasons domestically, though it looks as if Ruben Amorim will be keeping his job after arriving midway through the season and trying to implement a new style of play. , though, has now had two years in north London and his side have gone backwards this season amid a horrendous run of injuries.

While both teams already know a number of players will be missing for the big game, United are left sweating over the fitness of a few key players. With their last training session open to the media, here's what we learned from the event...

Returning players

Ruben Amorim admitted last week that a number of players were working hard to return in time for the game, and it's perhaps no surprise that Diogo Dalot was back with his teammates ahead of the game.

The Portuguese star in particular was singled out for his efforts to get back fit in time for the trip to Bilbao, having played an astonishing amount of football for United in the last two years before picking up an injury against Wolves last month.

However, one star that was perhaps not expected to be present was Joshua Zirkzee. Amorim said back in April that the forward would miss the rest of the season after picking up a hamstring injury just as he seemed to have started making a real positive impact in the team.

But the Dutch international was back with his teammates for the training session at Carrington, which could be a massive boost for Amorim ahead of the final. While Rasmus Hojlund is still expected to start the game in Bilbao, he has been in poor form of late. The chance to have Zirkzee available, even if only off the bench, could help United massively.

Leny Yoro was also in training. The centre-back has had a stop-start first year with United after breaking his foot in pre-season. He seemed to have played himself into some form recently, but injured the same foot against West Ham just 10 days ago.

Whether he will be fit remains to be seen. United also had Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Ayden Heaven, Luke Shaw and Noussair Mazraoui present in training, so the three centre-back spots could have some decent competition for a starting place.

De Ligt out

While Matthijs de Ligt is one of the stars hoping to make a comeback for the game against Spurs, it seems as though the Dutch centre-back will not be able to start.

The 25-year-old was involved in training, but not with the rest of the squad. Instead, the former Ajax defender - who will have bad memories of Spurs from the Champions League semi-final back in 2019 - was seen undertaking some light sprint work away from the group with a coach.

Garnacho surprise

It wouldn't be a cup final without a dodgy haircut, and Alejandro Garnacho sprang a surprise with a new trim. The Argentine star has elected to bleach his hair platinum blonde before the big game, a style he has gone for before but had ditched in recent months.

Garnacho will be hoping to provide a spark for United in Bilbao, though it's not certain whether he'll start against Ange Postecoglou's side. While there was some rotation for the clash against on Friday, key players like Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro started at Stamford Bridge, while Garnacho had to settle for a place on the bench as Mason Mount and Amad started in the No.10 roles.

Chido Obi involved

The former academy star made the move to Old Trafford last year and spent a fruitful few months with United's academy. Still only 17-years-old, the striker has been drafted into the first team and actually made his professional debut against in the 1-0 defeat in north London back in February.

He's gone on to make six Premier League appearances for the club, one of which was a start against Brentford which earned him the record of the youngest Manchester United player to start a league game in the club's history.

However, the young striker will definitely not be taking part in Bilbao as he was not one of the three changes Amorim made to his side between the league phase and the knockout phase because he was not considered as part of the senior squad at the time.