Team news for the United v City FA Cup final
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag thinks there is still a chance that Antony could be available for Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup final against Manchester City, but says it is now “unlikely”.
The Brazil international was forced off on a stretcher in the first half of our win over Chelsea eight days ago, and subsequently missed last weekend’s victory against Fulham on the final day of the Premier League season.
Before the latter outing, Ten Hag shared a hopeful update on the winger’s potential involvement at Wembley, and although he still has an opportunity to feature according to the boss, Erik explains that possibility is now “really small”.
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“Dos Santos still has a chance, but it's a really small chance.
“He didn’t make the progress. So, what I say is he still has a chance, but it’s unlikely he is available.”
Fellow forward Anthony Martial was ruled out of the final earlier this week with a hamstring strain.
Despite that, Erik does not want to dwell on unfortunate injuries, and instead says his focus is on working to win with the players that he will have at his disposal tomorrow.
“As I said all the time, I have these questions so many times from you all [the media] about absence from players in the last couple of months, and every time I say the same answer.
“It's about the players who are available. And every time we were successful, not every time, but a lot of times, many times, we were successful.
“So, we have a good squad and from a good squad we make a good team.”
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Along with Martial, three players we know Erik won’t be able to select this weekend are Lisandro Martinez, Marcel Sabitzer and Donny van de Beek who have all been ruled out for the season through injury.
Luke Shaw was withdrawn at half-time of last week’s triumph over Chelsea but did return to the matchday squad three days later against Fulham, as an unused substitute.
That, along with his presence in training ahead of the final, is a positive sign ahead of this weekend’s clash.
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MANCHESTER CITY’S TEAM NEWS
Pep Guardiola should have a fully fit squad to choose from on Saturday, with recent absentees Manuel Akanji, Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias and Jack Grealish all back in training.
The City manager shared that news while speaking to the media in his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, where he also confirmed that Stefan Ortega will start in goal for the Blues at Wembley, instead of regular first-choice keeper Ederson.
Ortega has, however, played in every round of our neighbours' road to the FA Cup final.