Erik ten Hag rates chances of injured Man Utd trio playing in Carabao Cup final vs Newcastle

Erik ten Hag has given an encouraging fitness update on Manchester United duo Scott McTominay and Antony.

Injury prevented the pair from flying to Spain with the Red Devils on Wednesday for the first leg of the club’s Europa League play-off against Barcelona. McTominay has missed the last six with a knock, while Antony sat out both games against Leeds with a leg injury.

But speaking ahead of the clash with Barcelona, Ten Hag said he is confident both players will be back in time for the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United on Sunday 26 February.

“It looks good. I think they are on their way back,” he said. “They are coming back on the training ground, individually at the end of the week. Maybe Scott can make the team, then next week, maybe Antony. We have to see his progress.”

However, Ten Hag was asked about Martial as well as McTominay and Antony, and the United manager failing to give an update on the Frenchman is a concern. Martial has missed 22 games through various different injuries this season, and hasn’t been involved in United’s last five Premier League matches.

He also didn’t fly to Barcelona, along with Lisandro Martinez and Marcel Sabitzer, who are suspended, while Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek have long-term problems. Martinez’s absence is a particular blow for the Red Devils, with Luke Shaw expected to start at the heart of defence on Thursday.

“We have many options I think to sort it out,” Ten Hag said, when asked if he’ll use Shaw in the centre. “We can use Luke as a full-back and centre-back. We saw at the weekend he did both. We can choose by game what we prefer.”