United boss Ruben Amorim says he will trust the “kids” to guide the club through the remainder of the Premier League season in order to rest some of his senior players for Europe.
United will face Spanish side Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals, after their 2-0 aggregate win against Rangers.
The competition is now United’s main focus, despite having six matches to play in the remainder of a Premier League campaign which sees the 20-time champions of England floundering in 14th.
The United boss noted Portuguese duo Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot were both suffering from fatigue as Thursday’s epic encounter drew to a close.
It means 17-year-old striker Chido Obi, who is not registered to play in Europe, is likely to play some part against Wolves at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The same is also true of full-back Harry Amass, who came on for Patrick Dorgu for the final 20 minutes against Lyon, defenders Jaydan Kamason and Godwill Kukonki and midfielder Jack Moorhouse, who were all on the bench.
Striker Gabriel Biancheri has been on the fringes of the first team, as have Darren Fletcher’s twin sons Jack and Tyler Fletcher.
If former Arsenal defender Ayden Heaven has recovered from the setback he suffered as he closed on full fitness after a recent ankle injury, he will be involved too given how much the 18-year-old impressed in his four first-team outings before last month’s international break.
“It is not the best moment or the best season to put kids in because they need a strong base to really show what they can do,” said Amorim.
“But in this moment you need to do it and sometimes you have some surprises.
“I can be honest, Ayden [Heaven] just played because we had a lot of injuries in that moment. But today I think of him as my player. When he is ready he is facing the competition in the team because he is ready to play.
“You don’t know. Amass did really well today. Chido when he played, did quite well. It is a difficult moment and not the right moment for the kids to play. But if we have to do it, we will.”
It is not known yet whether senior defenders Noussair Mazraoui or Victor Lindelof will be involved against Wolves.
Mazraoui was taken off at half-time and Lindelof had a planned substitute appearance scrapped after they were alerted independently to medical issues at home.
“It was the same for both,” he said.
“Sometimes you don’t control these things but everything is OK now. I know football is really important but there are things that are more important. They will be ready to play the next game.”
