Martial, McTominay, Shaw: Man Utd team news for Brighton clash in FA Cup semi-final

Manchester United travel to Wembley on Sunday for their FA Cup semifinal clash against Brighton & Hove Albion still hoping to win the domestic double.

After a dismal night in Seville, the Red Devils are hoping to escape a pair of quick knockout exits by waiting for the winner of Saturday’s second semifinal between Manchester City and Sheffield United.

Truthfully, Man United should’ve ended the tie against Sevilla in the first leg given the chances they created in the first half, but a late collapse at Old Trafford came before one of their most disastrous displays of the season.

Sevilla, a recurrent winner of the Europa League, were well deserving of their 3-0 second-leg victory on Thursday night, despite two defensive blunders from David de Gea and Harry Maguire. Youssef En-Nesyri took advantage of two terrible miscues before and after Loic Bade’s shoulder goal.

Erik ten Hag gave no apologies for his team’s appalling performance in Seville, even going so far as to claim that his injury-ravaged team was “not ready” for the match as hopes of a continental crown vanished. However, there is still a very real chance that United can conquer an EFL Cup and FA Cup double.

Manchester United Team News

When Erik ten Hag delivered his pre-game press conference late on Friday afternoon, he stated that it was too soon following the Sevilla setback to provide any team news for Sunday’s Emirates FA Cup semi-final.

The coach did comment that the players are “shaping up quite good,” but he would need to observe the team’s evening training to have a complete perspective.

Harry Maguire won’t be able to play after picking up his second yellow card in the FA Cup the season in United’s quarterfinal victory against Fulham. With Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane being injured, a centre-back partnership between Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof seems the most probable at the moment.

Shaw had returned to the squad last time out as United exited the Europa League. He came on as a second-half substitute and picked up a knock but is reportedly set to start alongside his Swedish teammate.

Bruno Fernandes, who was suspended for the Red Devils’ Europa League away match against Sevilla, is expected to be eligible once more.

Along with Donny van de Beek (knee), Tom Heaton and Alejandro Garnacho are still on the sidelines because of ankle issues.

Anthony Martial was forced to leave Thursday’s match in Spain due to injury; it is unknown at this time whether he will be able to reclaim his starting position, however, he was pictured with the team ahead of training on Saturday.

Midfielder Scott McTominay, meanwhile, was completely absent from the trip as he continued to heal from a previous injury. He is anticipated to be sidelined for a handful of further matches.

Brighton & Hove Albion Team News

Joel Veltman and Evan Ferguson had to leave Brighton’s triumph at Stamford Bridge the previous time around due to thigh and ankle injuries, respectively. De Zerbi has not yet disqualified the two from the semi-final.

Jakub Moder (ACL), Tariq Lamptey (knee), Adam Lallana (thigh), and Jeremy Sarmiento (knee) are also amongst the list of the Seagulls’ injuries alongside Veltman and Ferguson, while goalie Jason Steele is questionable with a knock.