Manchester United FA Cup final injury news as Manchester City face double blow

Manchester City are facing a potential double injury blow as Erik ten Hag prepares his injured Manchester United team for the FA Cup final.

This season, Manchester United‘s injury crisis has been nothing short of a joke. Right from the beginning of the campaign, Erik ten Hag has not had a full squad to choose from with players falling like flies across the side.

2024 has mainly seen defensive problems, with Casemiro having to start the last seven fixtures at centre-back, although the fixture against Brighton provided huge potential relief ahead of the FA Cup final.

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The Brighton tie was Lisandro Martínez’s first start in over a month. The Argentina international returned to the starting XI and played sixty minutes. Raphaël Varane also had minutes under his belt and could start in the final.

Jonny Evans continued his good form and will be in contention with Varane for the spot, while Willy Kambwala is now back in the squad having returned from injury.

Harry Maguire is reportedly fighting to be fit before the final after struggling with a calf problem, and Ten Hag is expected to give an update during his pre-match press conference on Friday.

In midfield, Bruno Fernandes has started the club’s last two games after missing the prior two through an ankle injury. He played 60 minutes against Brighton and is expected to be fit for the final.

Marcus Rashford also returned to action recently after he spent a number of weeks out with an unspecified issue, although it remains to be seen if he will be fit enough to start. Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia will not be fit for the final. Gareth Southgate confirmed Shaw’s status in a recent press conference.

“I have to say, you know, he’s up against it,” the England boss admitted when asked if Shaw will be able to make the European Championships squad. “He’s missed a lot of football.

“The fact that he’s been our first choice in that position, we’re probably giving him a bit longer than we might have done. And again, I’m not sure what’s realistic at this moment in time. So, I’ve talked with him, the medical team are liaising with Manchester United very closely. But, yeah, I’d have to say he’s a long shot (for him to go to the European Championships).”

For Manchester City, the club confirmed that goalkeeper Ederson would not be fit to play at Wembley after fracturing his eye socket against Tottenham Hotspur last week.

Jack Grealish may also be a doubt after suffering from an illness. He has since returned to the matchday squad but has remained an unused substitute by Pep Guardiola in the last two fixtures.