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Antony and four other Man Utd players set to miss Man City FA Cup final clash
Manchester United star Antony is facing an uphill battle to be fit in time for Saturday's FA Cup final showdown with Manchester City.
Erik ten Hag previews FA Cup final
Manchester United star Antony is, according to Erik ten Hag, a huge doubt for Saturday’s FA Cup clash with Manchester City. The Red Devils go into the match at Wembley looking to end Pep Guardiola’s hopes of a stunning treble. However, they’re big underdogs despite emerging victorious the last time the two sides met back in January.
Speaking ahead of United’s clash with City, Ten Hag confirmed Antony was a doubt for the showdown in the capital.
The Brazil international missed last weekend’s 2-1 win over Fulham, having picked up an ankle injury in a 4-1 victory over Chelsea days previously.
And Ten Hag, when quizzed on the availability of the player, sounded pessimistic.
He said: “Unlikely, Dos Santos. There's a chance but a really small chance.
“He didn’t make the progress [we wanted] so it’s unlikely he’s available.
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“It's about the players who are available and many times we were successful [without our injured players].
“We have a good squad and from it, we’ll make a good team."
Ten Hag also then confirmed that Anthony Martial was poised to miss out, too, having sustained a hamstring injury.
Discussing the 27-year-old, Ten Hag said: "Yeah it's going to be a long one.
"But how long, we don't know. We have to do more assessment."
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There are three other United players who are injured for the showdown at Wembley as the Red Devils look to seal a double.
Lisandro Martinez hasn’t played for the club since a 2-2 draw with Sevilla in April, with Victor Lindelof often partnering Raphael Varane in the time since.
United have already confirmed the Argentina international’s absence, releasing a statement that confirmed he would be sidelined until next season.
“Lisandro Martinez has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after fracturing a metatarsal bone in his foot,” it read.
“However, the Argentinian defender is expected to make a full recovery in time to be ready for the start of next season.”
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Martinez himself then reacted by saying: “Not the way I imagined what's been a very special season would end, but sometimes we face obstacles along the way that we have to overcome to make us stronger and we learn from them.
“I know that I'll be back very soon to go for more.
“In the meantime, I'll continue to support all my team-mates to achieve our objectives.
“The number of messages and support I've received has been amazing, they're giving me strength and encouragement at this moment. Many, many thanks to you all from the bottom of my heart.”
Donny van de Beek has returned to training in recent times.
But the United star, who has blown hot and cold since moving from Ajax three years ago, won’t be involved.
And neither will Marcel Sabitzer, either.
The Austria international may have played his last game for the club, with a return to parent club Bayern Munich on the cards.
It’s unclear if United will sign Sabitzer on a permanent basis, with Mason Mount closing in on a move to Old Trafford from Chelsea.