Martial, Antony, McTominay – Manchester United injury latest ahead of Barcelona fixture
Manchester United will look to win first blood when they meet Barcelona in the first leg of their Europa League knockout round play-off at the Camp Nou on Thursday night.
United, who were beaten 3-0 on their last visit to the Camp Nou in April 2019, meet the Spanish giants after failing to win the Europa League group earlier this season. They finished second in Group E and missed out on first place against Real Sociedad on goal difference, meaning they need to make it through that play-off round to reach the round of 16.
Coach Erik ten Hag is currently struggling with an unwanted injury crisis, particularly in midfield, with the number of injuries increasing in recent weeks.
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Here’s the latest information on United’s injured players:
Scott McTominay
The midfielder has missed each of United’s last four games with a muscle injury and did not recover in time to be included in the squad that traveled to Spain. The Scotland international, who has scored once in the Europa League this season, has not played since last month’s 3-2 defeat by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Christian Ericsen
Eriksen faces a lengthy break on the touchline after suffering a serious ankle injury in United’s 3-1 win over Reading in the fourth round of the FA Cup last month. The Dane was forced off after being confronted with a crunching tackle by Andy Carroll, resulting in him leaving Old Trafford on crutches.
United do not expect the former Brentford man to be available until late April at the earliest, in a statement released on January 31.
“While the investigation is ongoing, initial estimates indicate that Eriksen is likely to be out until late April or early May,” the statement said. “Eriksen’s absence will be a huge disappointment for coach Erik ten Hag and the fans given his consistency so far this season. However, there is hope that Christian can return in time to play a role in the final stages of the season.”
Donny van de Beek
Midfield colleague Van de Beek is also out for a long time. He was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a serious knee problem after his leg buckled under a challenge from Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi on January 3.
Ten Hag said last month: “Yes, it’s his knee. It’s looking really good in the long term, he’ll be back by the start of pre-season. He’s out for the rest of the season.” “
Anthony
Like the situation with McTominay, Ten Hag is confident summer signing Antony will be back in the running in time for their second meeting with Barcelona. He has missed each of the last two games with leg problems.
Ten Hag addressed the situation with McTominay and Antony in his pre-Barcelona press conference on Wednesday night, saying: “It looks like they’re on the way back. They’re coming back to the training ground, individually (work). End of the week, maybe Scott and Antony on the team and after the weekend but we’ll have to see.
“At the end of the week Scott might make the team and after the weekend we might plan for Antony. But we have to see, of course they have to make the progress that we are seeing now.”
Anthony Martial
Frenchman Martial will also miss the Camp Nou visit. He continues to struggle with a hip problem and has missed all of their last three games, most recently in the 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Nottingham Forest on 1 February.
He has been absent regularly this season and has suffered from a host of injury woes, meaning he has only played 14 games in all competitions. It remains to be seen when he will next be available.
Meanwhile, Lisandro Martinez will miss the trip to Barcelona due to a suspension. He was suspended after receiving three yellow cards in the Europa League group stage.
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