Team news: Garnacho getting closer to his return

Friday 28 April 2023 13:30

Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Alejandro Garnacho has returned to training with his team-mates, as Manchester United get set for Sunday's Premier League game against Aston Villa.

The young Argentinian winger has been unavailable for United since 12 March, when he sustained an ankle injury in the second half of our 0-0 draw with Southampton at Old Trafford.

During his pre-match press conference, held immediately after the Reds' 2-2 draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday night, the manager was asked about the fitness of Garnacho.

Press conference: United v Aston Villa Video

Press conference: United v Aston Villa

Press conference | Erik ten Hag discusses Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes and Villa's form ahead of Sunday's game...

"Yes [he is closer to being back]," said Ten Hag.

"He will return tomorrow [Friday] in the team training part and then we have to see when he can return totally in the team training and then back into games.''

Club captain Harry Maguire was absent from the matchday squad in the capital on Thursday, due to an injury he had sustained in training.

Maguire could be fit enough to return to the side on Sunday, but his fellow centre-backs Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane will still be absent. 

The date of Varane's return is not yet known although Erik did say, after the semi-final against Brighton, that the Frenchman will be back in time for the FA Cup final against Manchester City on Saturday 3 June.

Bruno Fernandes started the Spurs game, after recovering from the issue he picked up in the semi-final against Brighton, and looks to have come through it unscathed.

Donny van de Beek will not be back before the beginning of next season.

Tom Heaton and Scott McTominay will also be absent against the Villans this Sunday due to injury.

Preview: United v Aston Villa

 Article

Find out the latest information ahead of United's Premier League fixture versus high-flying Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

ASTON VILLA TEAM NEWS

Jacob Ramsey rolled his ankle in Villa's 1-0 win at home to Fulham on Tuesday, but the midfielder is expected to be fit to start at Old Trafford.

Matty Cash, the Poland full-back, and midfielders Boubacar Kamara, Philippe Coutinho and Leon Bailey are all still working their way back to fitness, and it is as yet unknown whether any of the trio will feature against United this weekend.

Other than that, Unai Emery has a clean bill of health for his side's trip to Manchester.

Recommended: