Manchester United's injury list is shrinking ahead of the FA Cup semi-final. Erik ten Hag is expected to have Antony, Scott McTominay, and Harry Maguire available for the match against Coventry City.
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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag provided some positive updates on his team's fitness during the press conference leading up to their crucial FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City.
He expressed optimism about the return of Antony and Scott McTominay, both key midfielders, stating, "Antony and Scott (McTominay), I expect back," which signals a strengthening squad as they approach the critical end of the season.
However, there remain concerns over Harry Maguire, who suffered a minor injury in a recent match against Bournemouth. Although Maguire has not trained this week, ten Hag mentioned that he has returned to the field and is likely to be available for selection on Sunday. This is particularly crucial as Manchester United, currently positioned seventh in the Premier League, seeks to salvage their season with a trophy, potentially starting with the FA Cup.
Ten Hag also highlighted the team's ability to perform against top competition, citing recent performances including draws against Liverpool and a victory in the FA Cup, as well as a strong showing against Chelsea. "We're frustrated, but we also know we can beat the best teams," ten Hag stated, emphasizing the potential for the team to "peak very high" if they play to their capabilities.
Additionally, the press conference briefly touched on the situation with Alejandro Garnacho. The young Argentine forward was substituted at halftime during the match against Bournemouth, a decision he seemingly disagreed with, evidenced by his actions on social media. Ten Hag addressed this, noting that Garnacho is a young player who is still learning and confirmed that the player had apologized for his reactions, suggesting a move forward from the incident.
Finally, Ten Hag commented on the recent changes to the FA Cup format, specifically the elimination of replays. He described the change as unfortunate for British football culture but also acknowledged it as an unavoidable decision due to the congested fixture schedule imposed by FIFA and UEFA. This adjustment in the traditional format reflects the broader changes in football management, driven by a packed international and domestic calendar.
