Erik ten Hag gives worrying triple Man Utd injury update ahead of Leeds and Barcelona games

Erik ten Hag has revealed it looks unlikely that Scott McTominay, Antony and Anthony Martial will be fit to play in the upcoming games against Leeds United and Barcelona.

Manchester United travel to Elland Road on Sunday for a repeat of the midweek match against their old foes from Yorkshire, while Ten Hag’s side then fly to Barcelona for the first leg of their Europa League knockout stage qualifier on Thursday, with the reverse meeting to be played seven days later.

But it looks likely that United will have to face the next two matches without the trio of important players. Speaking ahead of Sunday’s clash with Leeds, Ten Hag was asked if he’s expecting McTominay, Antony and Martial to return.

“I don’t expect, but we have some days obviously, and if I can oversee it until now then I don’t see any new problems coming up,” he replied, before addressing the Barcelona match. “I think the same answer, I can’t say for 100%, but I don’t expect it,” the United manager explained.

The exact nature of McTominay’s injury has not been revealed, but the Scotland international has missed the last four with the knock. His absence has been compounded by the long-term issues to Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek, as well as Casemiro’s three-game suspension, leaving United with just three fit senior midfielders. However, the latter will be available to play against Barcelona given his ban applies only to Premier League matches.

As for Antony, he has a leg injury and Ten Hag said on Tuesday he doesn’t think it will keep the Brazilian out for a ‘long time’.

But Martial’s repeated injury woes is perhaps the most pressing fitness concern for the Red Devils. The Frenchman has missed 21 matches this season with various afflictions, and Ten Hag has been forced to defend his injury record on a number of occasions in recent weeks.

“No, every time in different areas. At the minute, he has a hip [injury],” said the former Ajax boss on Tuesday. “He is not always available, but also I see the other side when he is available, he was never 100 % this season but he had a big impact every time he is available, even when he is at 80, 85, 90 %.”

With Martial unavailable, Wout Weghorst is the only recognised striker in the United team, and could lead the line at Elland Road and the Nou Camp in the next week.