Man United injury update: Antony, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Antony, Lindelof, Varane and Malacia latest news and return dates

Man United injury update: Antony, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Antony, Lindelof, Varane and Malacia latest news and return dates

Manchester United Boss Erik ten Hag is still without several first-team players as FA Cup semi-final looms

Manchester United are still battling an extensive injury list as they battle for European qualification during the Premier League season run-in.

The Red Devils claimed a typically unconvincing and somewhat controversial 2-2 draw down at Bournemouth on Saturday evening, twice rescued by goals from captain Bruno Fernandes as they conceded another hatful of chances and saw a last-gasp penalty award for the hosts overturned by VAR.

Despite their rousing home draw against Liverpool and leading deep into stoppage time against both Brentford and Chelsea of late, United have now won just one of their last seven league games and slipped out of sixth place with only six games left to play this term, including against the likes of Arsenal, Newcastle and Brighton.

Erik ten Hag’s men must quickly shake off that latest disappointment as they prepare to face Championship side Coventry in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley next weekend amid more speculation over the manager’s future.

Harry Maguire – United’s only available senior centre-back – played through an injury against Bournemouth alongside young Willy Kambwala, while Alejandro Garnacho was taken off at half-time but Marcus Rashford played 90 minutes after being forced off against Liverpool.

Ongoing fitness problems led to another raft of youngsters making the bench, with teenage striker Ethan Wheatley joining Omari Forson, Harry Amass and Habeeb Ogunneye among the replacements.

Antony
United’s latest fitness concerns surround Antony, whom the club confirmed was absent from the matchday squad at Bournemouth due to injury.

The Brazilian has largely struggled at Old Trafford so far since his high-profile £86million transfer from Ajax two years ago, but had been showing signs of form of late including with a key goal in the epic FA Cup quarter-final win over Liverpool last month.

Ten Hag did not appear to address Antony’s issue after the draw on the south coast, so it remains to be seen at this stage if he’s at risk of missing the trip to Wembley on Sunday.

Potential return date: Unknown

Lisandro Martinez
Martinez made his latest comeback after another two months out with knee ligament damage off the bench at Brentford on March 30, but subsequently suffered a calf strain during training at Carrington that United said would keep him sidelined again for at least four weeks.

Such a timeline would see the World Cup-winning Argentine defender return in early May, with fans desperately hoping he has no further setbacks between now and then.

Potential return date: May 6, vs Crystal Palace

Victor Lindelof
Martinez was brought on at Brentford as a replacement for Lindelof, who sustained a hamstring injury on a costly evening for United.

Like his fellow centre-back he was subsequently ruled out for at least four weeks, which could also put him in line to return against Palace in the Premier League at Selhurst Park next month.

Potential return date: May 6, vs Crystal Palace

Raphael Varane
United are experiencing something of an ongoing and recurring injury crisis in central defence, with Varane withdrawn at half-time in successive games against Brentford and Chelsea.

He sustained a muscle injury in the agonising last-gasp loss at Stamford Bridge and was expected to be out for the next few weeks, with the club saying he was aiming to be back before the end of the season.

It seems unlikely at this stage that Varane will play again until some point in May.

Potential return date: May 2024

Jonny Evans
Another senior United centre-back struggling with injury, Evans returned to replace Varane at half-time against Chelsea, but was subbed off himself 20 minutes later with what the club described as a “shorter-term muscle issue”.

The veteran Northern Irish defender was not involved against either Liverpool or Bournemouth and will be in a race against time to prove his fitness to play some part against Coventry at Wembley.

Potential return date: Unknown, possibly April 21 vs Coventry