Manchester United and Manchester City will both be managing injury concerns this week as the preparations for Saturday’s FA Cup final intensify.
The Red Devils wrapped up their Premier League campaign on Sunday with a 2-1 victory over Fulham and the three points saw them secure a third-place finish above Newcastle United. But Erik ten Hag had to manage without four injured players for the game at Old Trafford.
The United boss also rotated his side and dropped Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, Christian Eriksen and Anthony Martial to the bench from the team that started against Chelsea on Thursday.
“We played Thursday once again and they had a week to prepare,” Ten Hag said after Sunday’s match, when asked about his team selection. “I wanted a fresh team on the pitch but also players who could present them for the cup final. I want to see different things. I think the team and the squad performed well.”
As for City, their campaign ended in underwhelming fashion as Pep Guardiola’s side took just a point from the last two matches. A 1-0 loss to Brentford on the final weekend meant the champions finished the campaign on 89 points - a relatively low tally given City’s impeccable standards over recent years.
But the Blues last few matches were impacted by injury, with seven doubts ahead of the trip to Brentford, while Guardiola didn’t introduce John Stones, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Erling Haaland from the bench due to fatigue.
“The guys who don’t play here were really exhausted yesterday,” the Catalan explained post-match. “We spoke with them, they said they are mentally completely drained.
"We had four, five players with niggles, not injuries. They were not fit for a few days,” he continued. “They needed to rest. Now to arrive with the right energy for United and the final of the Champions League.”
With all that in mind, we’ve rounded up the latest on all 12 players who have been struggling with injuries over the last week…
1. Lisandro Martinez- Out
Suffered a broken metatarsal and won’t be back in time for Saturday’s FA Cup final.
2. Luke Shaw- Fit
Was replaced at half-time against Chelsea with a knock, but was an unused substitute in the win over Fulham, which implies the defender hasn’t suffered a serious injury.
3. Marcel Sabitzer- Out
Won’t play again this season and the on-loan Bayern Munich man watched from the stands on Sunday.
4. Donny van de Beek- Out
Back in training but won’t be an option until pre-season.