Manchester United’s 25-player squad for the Europa League features no Kobbie Mainoo or Alejandro Garnacho, but there is good reason for both omissions.

Even at 19 and 20 years of age respectively, Mainoo and Garnacho have become two of the most important players in United’s squad. That became crystal clear when both developing talents put in star performances in the victorious FA Cup final against Manchester City in May.

They remain invaluable, but their absence from the Europa League squad was to be expected and is completely different from Chelsea’s decision to go without Cole Palmer in the Conference League.

As players born since 1 January 2003, and having been at United for more than two seasons since the age of 15, Mainoo and Garnacho are eligible for the ‘B’ list instead. It means more places can be opened up on the ‘A’ list for others, with Tyrell Malacia and Harry Amass the beneficiaries.

It suggests Malacia, who missed the entirety of last season with a long-term knee injury, is close enough to a return to action to warrant Erik ten Hag including him. Amass, even while just 17 years of age, cannot be named on the ‘B’ list with the club’s other youngsters because he only arrived at the academy from Watford in 2023 and hasn’t hit the ‘B’ list’s two-season minimum.

Ethan Wheatley and Toby Collyer, respectively the 250th and 251st United academy players to make a first-team debut in a continuation of strong home-grown traditions, are both eligible for the ‘B’ list and so could play in the Europa League despite being absent from the main squad.

Leny Yoro is among the 25 ‘A’ list names. The teenage Frenchman has quickly fallen out of the spotlight on account of a pre-season injury delaying his United career, but an expected return from a foot problem in November means he should back for the second half of the ‘league phase’.

Goalkeepers: Andre Onana, Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton, Dermot Mee.

Defenders: Harry Amass, Diogo Dalot, Matthijs De Ligt, Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui, Luke Shaw, Leny Yoro.

Midfielders: Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, Manuel Ugarte.

Forwards: Amad, Antony, Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Joshua Zirkzee.

Up to three changes to the ‘A’ list are permitted in February ahead of the knockout rounds.

United will begin their Europa League campaign by facing Dutch side FC Twente at Old Trafford on 25 September. Porto, Fenerbahce, PAOK, Bodo/Glimt, Viktoria Plzen, Rangers and FCSB are the other opponents Ten Hag’s side will face between now and late January in the reformatted competition.

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