Explained: Why Leny Yoro & Christian Eriksen not included in Man Utd squad to face Tottenham as Ruben Amorim forced to name EIGHT academy players on bench amid injury crisis

Manchester United's injury crisis has been deepened yet further due to the unavailability of Yoro and Eriksen, with Ruben Amorim forced to name eight academy players on the bench. Eriksen had been expected to come into the starting line-up following injuries to Kobbie Mainoo and Manual Ugarte and Yoro would have been an option for the Portuguese coach in a defence missing Lisandro Martinez. United have also been rocked by the news that Amad Diallo is set to miss the rest of the season due to an ankle injury.

Yoro and Eriksen have been ruled out of Sunday afternoon's game through illness and were not well enough to even make the bench. Their absence means that Victor Lindelof is the only player named on the United bench over the age of 21 and the only senior professional.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Amorim said of the selection crisis he is facing at Old Trafford: "Amad [Diallo] was alone, [Manuel] Ugarte was a kick. Toby [Collyer] and Kobbie [Mainoo] felt something. It is what it is, but we have the kids and they have the opportunity to be on the bench. It is a really hard season and we have to deal with that.

"I don't see it like [the world is against us]. Maybe we will find new ways to create situations. We have kids with less responsibility, less weight on their shoulders. They are good players. If needed we will put the kids to play and maybe we will find good things in this moment. It is a very good moment in their lives, no matter the moment of our club. We are ready to try to win this game. We want to win this game, we need to win this game. Whatever happens in the end it is my responsibility."

Asked to confirm whether Amad will miss the rest of the season, Amorim replied: "I think so. Sometimes things happen and seasons where everything happens at the same time."

After facing Spurs, United are due to host Everton on February 22, four days before another home fixture against relegation-threatened Ipswich Town as Amorim bids to guide his team out of the Premier League's bottom half.