Erik ten Hag gives fitness update on three Man Utd players ahead of Real Sociedad clash

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has revealed Jadon Sancho will miss Thursday’s Europa League clash with Real Sociedad due to illness.

The former Borussia Dortmund winger was not pictured in training on Wednesday and did not travel with the squad to Spain, nor did Antony or Anthony Martial. United confirmed on their website that Antony missed out due to the same injury that prevented him playing in last weekend’s win over West Ham United, while Ten Hag spoke about Sancho and Martial in his pre-match press conference.

"Jadon Sancho, he was ill," said the Dutchman. "And Anthony Martial is still in recovery, in rehab, and has to finish that. He did train this morning so we are going in the right direction."

Martial returned to training on Monday after he missed three weeks as a result of a back injury he picked up away to Everton. Meanwhile, Aaron Wan-Bissaka was named in the travelling squad for the match but has only played four minutes so far under Ten Hag, while Diogo Dalot has mainly played at right-back so far this season.

"Luckily, also Aaron Wan-Bissaka is back in the squad so we have replacements,” said Ten Hag on Wednesday. “He [Dalot] is physically a really good profile and I am sure he will keep going and keep developing. That is what we demand."

Victor Lindelof is also back for United after he missed Sunday’s game due to illness, while youngsters Radek Vitek, Zidane Iqbal and Shola Shoretire were named in the squad.

The Red Devils head to San Sebastian needing a two-goal win in order to secure top spot in their Europa League group. The alternative, a second-place finish, would see United have a two-legged qualifier against a Champions League drop-out to progress to the last-16 of the competition, while first place automatically progresses to that stage of the Europa League.