Man City receive FA Cup final injury boost as four stars return to training ahead of Man Utd clash

Manchester City received an injury boost on Wednesday as four first-team stars returned to training ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup final.

The Premier League champions were given two days off after Sunday’s loss to Brentford, with Pep Guardiola claiming his players were ‘exhausted’, and John Stones, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Erling Haaland were all unused substitutes at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Meanwhile, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish missed the game altogether. “The guys who are in Manchester, Ruben didn’t train for 10 days, Jack Grealish neither,” Guardiola explained on Sunday.

“After Brighton [last Wednesday] , Kevin felt the same feelings as before weeks ago. They couldn’t play a few games. Not a big issue. I think they will be ready. They have to be ready in the training sessions.”

Thankfully for City, the quartet all were seen in City’s latest training images which were released on the club’s website on Wednesday. All four also appeared to be taking part in the full session, meaning they should be available to face Manchester United on Saturday in the cup final.

Presuming City haven’t picked up any fresh knocks since the weekend, the return of Akanji, Dias, De Bruyne and Grealish means City should have a fully fit squad to select from at Wembley. Nathan Ake returned last weekend following a recent hamstring injury and played just over 60 minutes against Brentford, while he was also pictured in training on Wednesday.

As for Manchester United’s injury situation, it was confirmed this week that Anthony Martial won’t be involved on Saturday due to a hamstring tear he suffered last week. Antony is also a doubt after coming off in the recent win over Chelsea, although Erik ten Hag said last week that the winger could still be fit in time for the derby. Elsewhere, Lisandro Martinez, Marcel Sabitzer and Donny van de Beek remain absent with long-term injuries.