Manchester City will face a depleted Manchester United side in the FA Cup final on Saturday as Antony is unlikely to recover from an ankle injury in time, according to United boss Erik ten Hag.
The Brazilian winger suffered an ankle problem in United’s 4-1 victory over Chelsea on May 25 and had to be carried off on a stretcher. He was initially hopeful of making it to Wembley, but Ten Hag revealed on Thursday that his chances are slim.
“He didn’t make progress so he still has a chance but it is unlikely he is available,” Ten Hag said.
Antony’s absence adds to Ten Hag’s injury woes, as he is already without Anthony Martial, who tore his hamstring in the last game of the Premier League season against Fulham. Midfielders Marcel Sabitzer and Donny van de Beek are also sidelined, as well as defender Lisandro Martinez.
Ten Hag will have to make some tough choices before naming his team for the historic Manchester derby in the FA Cup final, but he insisted that he has enough quality in his squad to challenge Pep Guardiola’s City.
“We have a good squad and from the good squad we make a good team,” he said. “We want to win a cup, it is not about stopping them.”
Ten Hag is aiming to win his second domestic trophy in his first season at Old Trafford, after lifting the League Cup in February. He also wants to prevent City from completing the treble, although he said that is not his main motivation.
“I think it is a very good season when you see where we came from and the progress of the team,” he said. “In a tough league like the Premier League and you are third and winning the League Cup and in the final of the FA Cup you can be happy with the season but in summer we start again.”
