Man Utd injuries: Every player out of FA Cup final vs Man City

Injuries have played a major role in Manchester United’s disappointing second season under Erik ten Hag but they still have the chance to cap a tumultuous campaign with a piece of silverware on Saturday afternoon.

This weekend sees the Red Devils take on local rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final in a repeat of last term’s showpiece meeting at Wembley Stadium, which the Cityzens won 2-1.

While the Premier League champions are the hot favourites to lift the trophy and secure a domestic double, United have been boosted by some encouraging team news in the build-up.

Here’s the latest United fitness lowdown before a defining game for supposed dead man walking Ten Hag.

Severe injuries in defence have halted United‘s progress under Ten Hag but a number of previously sidelined players are back in contention for Saturday’s Manchester derby in the capital.

Victor Lindelof is back in training while Lisandro Martinez has played a few games since returning to matchday selection, featuring for just short of an hour in the 2-0 win at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Raphael Varane played the final 20 minutes of that victory and, with Harry Maguire ruled out, will likely partner the Argentina international in central defence, allowing Casemiro to play in midfield and Jonny Evans to step out of the firing line.

However, the natural options at left-back remain sparse at present due to the long-term absences of Luke Shaw and deputy Tyrell Malacia. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot will almost certainly play in the full-back positions, with the Portugal international having featured on the left more regularly than Wan-Bissaka this season.

United’s defensive issues mean Casemiro has had to do an at best unconvincing job at centre-back, but with some of his teammates ready to make the starting XI again, he should partner breakout talent Kobbie Mainoo in central midfield.

Mason Mount missed last week’s trip to the south coast but Ten Hag has revealed he is back in training as he aims to make it fourth time lucky in the FA Cup final – the England international lost three such matches in consecutive seasons with Chelsea.

He said in his pre-match press conference: “Harry Maguire is unavailable but the rest, all the players you mentioned [Lindelof, Mount and Martial], they are – I think – available. We have, tomorrow, final training and then we have final decisions. But, as I oversee it now, it looks good.”

Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay recently had knocks but have since recovered to act as United’s primary attacking forces over the past few weeks.

Anthony Martial, who was part of the last United team to win the FA Cup, also looks to have shaken off a complaint in time to be available to Ten Hag.

Rasmus Hojlund scored two goals in 38 cumulative minutes as a substitute in the wins over Brighton and Newcastle United but whether he’s done enough to earn a start in the final remains to be seen.

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