‘Unlikely’ - Erik ten Hag gives injury update on Man Utd star ahead of FA Cup final vs Man City

Erik ten Hag has revealed Antony is ‘unlikely’ to be fit in time to face Manchester City in this weekend’s FA Cup final.

The Manchester United winger went off in the recent win over Chelsea and had to be withdrawn on a stretcher after picking up what looked like a serious injury. But Ten Hag gave hope of Antony returning in time for Saturday’s cup final, when he said last week that the Brazilian ‘should be available’ for the Wembley bout.

However, speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the trip to the capital, the United manager explained that Antony is not expected to be involved on Saturday. “Unlikely. He still has a chance but it’s a really small chance,” Ten Hag told reporters. “He didn’t make progress so he still has a chance, but it’s unlikely he is available.”

Ten Hag also suffered another injury blow this week with Anthony Martial picking up another long-term issue, but the Dutchman said United have enough quality in their ranks to put out a good starting XI on Saturday, despite the absence of their no.9.

“These questions so many times from you, the media, ask about the absence of players in the last couple of months. Every time I say the same answer, it’s about the players who are available and many times we were successful. We have a good squad and from the good squad we make a good team.”

Other than Antony and Martial, United will be without long-term absentees Lisandro Martinez, Donny van de Beek and Marcel Sabitzer this weekend.

Meanwhile, Ten Hag expressed his excitement at being involved in an FA Cup final at Wembley, which the 53-year-old described as the ‘best stadium’ in the world. “I have played many cup finals in the Netherlands as a player and as a coach and it was always fantastic experiences,” he said. “In the Netherlands, we have De Kuip and it is a special place to be, but Wembley I think is probably the best stadium in the world. To be there in a cup final is really exciting.”