Erik ten Hag handed Manchester United a timely boost ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final clash woth Coventry City at Wembley.
In a season interrupted by a seemingly never-ending series of injury problems, the Red Devils will at least have three players fit and available ahead of a clash with could go some way to deciding whether Ten Hag’s second season will end in silverware.
Two of those missed last week’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on the South Coast. But Ten Hag, speaking to the Manchester United website at his press conference on Friday lunchtime, expects both Scott McTominay and Antony to make their returns as the Red Devils go head-to-head with second-tier Coventry at the national stadium.
Ten Hag shares positive Manchester United update
“Antony and Scott, I expect them to be back,” says Ten Hag, while also indicating that Harry Maguire is likely to feature despite picking up an issue at Bournemouth.
“We have some problems. Harry struggled with a small injury against Bournemouth. He didn’t train this week so far, but now he’s back on the pitch. And I think he will be available for Sunday.”
McTominay, given his knack for netting big goals in big games, unsurprisingly played a major role in the game which took United to the semis. He scored – taking to his tally to nine for the season – and provided an assist in that thrilling 4-3 victory over arch rivals Liverpool in the last-eight.
McTominay has not featured since deflecting in that last-gasp Cole Palmer strike against Chelsea a fortnight ago. Antony may also have a role to play against a Coventry side who stunned Wolves last time out, albeit probably from the bench.
The Brazilian is in comfortably his best form of the season, and spoke excitedly about his improved recent displays in an interview with the Man United’s official website this week.
Man United’s FA Cup run, meanwhile, offers Ten Hag a welcome distraction from the Red Devils’ indifferent Premier League displays.
Jonny Evans blow
“Of course, we want to win every game. So, when we don’t win, we are disappointed,” Ten Hag adds. “We are frustrated but we know also we can beat the best teams. We drew twice against Liverpool, we beat them in the FA Cup, we played very good against Chelsea.
“When we play to our levels, we can achieve really high highs. Last season was last season. We want to achieve every season. We want to win trophies, we have a big opportunity. We’re in a semi-final but it’s a huge challenge.”
Man United will, however, be without four of the men who may have been chosen to partner Maguire, with teenagerWilly Kambwala expected to keep his place in the first XI. Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane are all still sidelined, while the Coventry clash will come too soon for veteran Jonny Evans.
There had been a hope Evans would be fit to return for the game, against opponentshe lost to in a United shirt back in 2007.
However, Evans will not be available with United’s update stating that similarly to Varane, Martinez and Lindelof, he does ‘not look to be in a position to return.’
