Manchester United have their fingers crossed on the fitness of Harry Maguire amid a defensive injury crisis.
The Red Devils travel to Wembley on Sunday to take on Championship side Coventry in the FA Cup semi-finals. Erik ten Hag already has a few defensive headaches to navigate ahead of that game.
Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans and Tyrell Malacia are all already ruled out. There is also doubt over Maguire's availability, with the England defender missing training throughout this week after picking up an issue during last weekend’s draw with Bournemouth.
Nevertheless, the United boss revealed that Maguire has done some work out on the training field on Friday and could potentially play at Wembley. Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Ten Hag said: “We have some problems I already said.
“Harry [Maguire], all game against Bournemouth he struggled, he had an issue, he had a small injury, he didn't train this week so far. But now he's back on the pitch.
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"So, we expect him today back in the team training. He will be available I think, I hope, for Sunday."
Brazilian winger Antony and midfielder Scott McTominay should also be in contention. Ten Hag added: "Yeah, Antony and Scott [McTominay] I expect them to be back. Scott didn't train all week, partial on Wednesday, today I expect him full. Antony did train the whole week.”
French striker Anthony Martial remains absent. He still has a month to go before he is likely to return from a groin issue and he may well have played his last game for the club.
Erik ten Hag has been preparing his side for this weekend's FA Cup clash with Coventry (Getty Images)What team should Man United name vs Coventry? Share your suggestions in the comments below
Despite the list of injuries facing his side, Ten Hag remains confident of overcoming Coventry at Wembley. He said: "We did our job and we are prepared, so we know their team, we know how they play, we know the individual abilities of the players.
“Of course, also we know the manager, a former United player, striker, his long period there, he's doing a fantastic job there. So, we know a lot about them. Of course they are dangerous, they are in the semi-final.
“It's logical. Last season, they were that far away [gestures small gap] from being promoted to the Premier League. So, they do a fantastic job over there. We have seen the game against Wolves, in the quarter-final, the mentality in the team is fabulous, so we have to play to our best levels."
Following the clash against Coventry, the Red Devils are then back in action in midweek with a Premier League clash against relegation-threatened Sheffield United.
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