Alejandro Garnacho and Fred will return to the Manchester United starting lineup against Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
The FA Cup will be up for grabs when Manchester United and Manchester City clash at Wembley in the final on Saturday evening. And Erik ten Hag has a new concern hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s last game of the 2022/23 season.
Anthony Martial sustained a hamstring injury in Manchester United’s final Premier League game last weekend. And the Frenchman is unavailable to take on Manchester City in the FA Cup final. Martial has joined Lisandro Martinez, Phil Jones, Marcel Sabitzer, and Donny van de Beek.
But there is some good news, as Antony has a slim chance to be available for the FA Cup final. And Erik ten Hag suggested in his pre-match press conference that while the Brazilian international’s participation is unlikely, he might be in the matchday squad.
The Dutchman said, “[It’s] unlikely. Antony Dos Santos still has a chance, but it’s a really small chance. He didn’t make the progress. So, what I say is he still has a chance, but it’s unlikely he is available.”
Speaking in general on injuries, he added, “As I said all the time, I have these questions so many times from you all [the media] about absence from players in the last couple of months, and every time I say the same answer.”
“It’s about the players who are available. And every time we were successful, not every time, but a lot of times, many times, we were successful. So, we have a good squad and from a good squad we make a good team.”
Antony will not start on Saturday, meaning Jadon Sancho should feature on the right flank. And Alejandro Garnacho should replace the injured Martial, with Marcus Rashford spearheading the attack. So the teenage sensation will take his place on the left wing on Saturday.
As for the midfield unit, Fred will likely start ahead of Christian Eriksen. The Brazilian international successfully kept Kevin De Bruyne quiet in the most recent Manchester Derby. So Fred will start alongside his compatriot, Casemiro, in the double pivot. Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes will be the most advanced midfielder for the Red Devils.
Finally, the defensive unit will see Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof forming the central defensive pairing. And Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw should be the two full-backs, with David de Gea featuring between the sticks. So Diogo Dalot will be on the bench in the wake of signing a new contract with Manchester United.
Predicted Manchester United XI: de Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred; Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho; Rashford
