Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag is hopeful that Scott McTominay, Antony and Anthony Martial will all be available for the EFL Cup final against Newcastle United on February 26.The trio are not with the Red Devils squad preparing for Thursday’s Europa League knockout round playoff first leg with Barcelona at Camp Nou due to injury problems.
However, Ten Hag said that “it looks good” when asked whether the three players would be able to recover from their issues in time for the EFL Cup final at the end of the month.
“It looks good. I think they are on the way back. They are coming back in the training squad, [with] the individual [training work],” Ten Hag told reporters on Wednesday.
“At the end of the week, maybe Scott can begin training with the team and after the weekend maybe Antony [can do that too], but we have to see. They are making progress, [that is] what we see now.”
McTominay is currently on the sidelines with a muscular problem, with the 26-year-old missing the team’s last five matches in all competitions with the issue.
The Scotland international was on the bench against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup on January 25, but he has not taken to the field since the 3-2 loss to Arsenal in the Premier League on January 22.
Antony, meanwhile, missed both Premier League matches against Leeds United due to a leg injury.
The Brazilian was initially expected to recover in time for the clash with Barcelona, but he has not been able to make the trip, with the forward staying back in Manchester to continue his rehabilitation.
Martial, meanwhile, has struggled with injury problems throughout the season, with the Frenchman suffering five separate issues so far this campaign.
The 27-year-old has spent time out with hamstring, Achilles, back and muscular issues, and he is currently on the sidelines with a hip problem.
Martial has been absent for Man United’s last five Premier League matches, but he did come off the bench to score against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup at the start of the month.
Donny van de Beek and Christian Eriksen remain long-term absentees for the Red Devils, while Lisandro Martinez and Marcel Sabitzer are both suspended for Thursday’s game against Barcelona.
Man United will face Leicester City in the Premier League on Sunday and Barcelona at Old Trafford next Thursday before taking on Newcastle in the League Cup final.
The four contenders set to bid for the takeover of Manchester United this Friday
Man United fans could see their lengthy wish come true very soon as the Glazer family are set to receive bids ahead of selling the Premier League club after 18 years in charge of the Red Devils.
The Glazer family have owned United since 2005 but their relationship with the club’s fanbase has been very toxic over the years, with the Old Trafford faithful campaigning for them to sell the club.
Man United fans and the Glazers do not see eye to eye
That time has potentially arrived as Friday is the soft deadline for investors to submit bids to buy Man United, with US investment banking firm the Raine Group facilitating the sale.
Heading into the day of the deadline, there are four main contenders set to bid for the Premier League giants.
The four contenders set to bid for Manchester United
The person Man United fans would most likely want to see take over their club is the CEO of the INEOS chemicals group, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is Britain’s richest man and a lifelong United fan who was born in Manchester. Ratcliffe also owns Ligue 1 side Nice, and that experience would also be welcomed by the supporters of the Manchester club.
The other contenders according to the Mirror are a Qatar-backed consortium, Saudi Arabia, and Elon Musk.
All three would bring controversy Man United’s way, therefore, the Ratcliffe bid is the best and safest option; whoever wins, United fans will just be grateful that the Glazers have finally left their club.
Source: Source: caughtoffside.com; sportsmole.co.uk
