Erik ten Hag has a number of big selection calls to make ahead of Manchester United‘s FA Cup final against Manchester City on Saturday with his injury problems mounting.
The club’s joy at securing a top-four Premier League finish and a return to the Champions League has quickly turned to concern with Ten Hag’s absentee list growing at the worst possible time.
Lisandro Martinez was always going to miss the final at Wembley after fracturing a metatarsal bone in his foot back in April, while Marcel Sabitzer was ruled out last month after sustaining a knee injury.
But in recent days, Ten Hag has been dealt with two major injury blows. Anthony Martial is unavailable due to a hamstring issue and Antony is rated as “unlikely” to feature because of an ankle problem.
The club confirmed on Tuesday that Martial suffered a tear to his hamstring towards the end of their 2-1 victory over Fulham on the final day of the Premier League season.
And on Friday, Ten Hag admitted that Antony is likely to miss out after failing to recover from an ankle injury that he picked up during the 4-1 win over Chelsea in United’s penultimate league fixture.
“Unlikely, he still has a chance but a really small chance,” said Ten Hag, when asked whether Antony will play.
“He didn’t make progress so he still has a chance but [it is] unlikely he is available.”
Should Antony fail to recover in time, Ten Hag will be unable to select two attackers that probably would have started the game, alongside two of the first names on the teamsheet in Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes.
Ordinarily, Rashford would expect to start on the left wing and Fernandes from a No 10 position, but they may both have to plug gaps elsewhere in the frontline with Antony and Martial out.
It would be a surprise if Ten Hag does not entrust Rashford to start as a central striker given the alternative is Wout Weghorst – a player who has scored just twice in 30 appearances for the club and gone 15 games without a goal.
That would open up a slot on the left wing, which would present an opportunity for either Jadon Sancho or Alejandro Garnacho. Sancho’s superior experience should see him get the nod, with Fernandes and Christian Eriksen alternating between the No 10 and right-wing positions.
With Eriksen required higher up the pitch, Fred could come into the starting line-up alongside Casemiro in midfield.
In defence, Ten Hag’s biggest dilemma is likely to come at right-back with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot both vying for position. Wan-Bissaka’s good form and superior defensive qualities could see him preferred.
Victor Lindelof ended the campaign on a high and is set to start alongside Raphael Varane in the middle of the back four, with Luke Shaw at left-back and David de Gea in goal.
Man Utd’s predicted 4-2-3-1 line-up vs Man City: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Varane, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred; Fernandes, Eriksen, Sancho; Rashford
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