Ten Hag says Manchester United duo ‘back’ for Palace and gives Antony update

Add as preferred source on Google

Erik ten Hag has indicated that Manchester United trio Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen will be back in contention for Saturday’s Premier League home clash against Crystal Palace with Antony also returning to action. 

The football gods giveth, the football gods taketh away.

With Lisandro Martinez consigned to another extended period on the sidelines – and with Sergio Reguilon joining him in the treatment table – at least Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has the luxury of welcoming back three other first-team players ahead of Crystal Palace’s trip to Old Trafford this weekend. 

Midfield duo Eriksen and McTominay missed Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory over the same opposition through illness. Both should be back in the squad tomorrow, however, with Ten Hag not ruling out a sudden return to action for Antony either.  

Manchester United face Crystal Palace on Saturday

“Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen. They are back,” Ten Hag tells the Manchester Evening News. 

Manchester United confirmed, via an official statement, that Antony is now ‘available for selection’ again after recent ‘police inquiries’. 

The Brazil international has not featured in a month, missing since the 3-1 defeat at Arsenal before the September international break.

“I think we explained it in the statement, so I will refer to it. On Saturday, he will be back in training, so tomorrow,” Ten Hag adds. “I have to see, but I think, yeah (he is fit).” 

Antony nears return

It remains to be seen if Antony will be part of the matchday squad for Crystal Palace, or whether he instead makes his return to the pitch during Tuesday’s Champions League group-stage clash against Galatasaray.

Facundo Pellistri and Alejandro Garnacho impressed in Antony’s absence in the Carabao Cup third round, the latter opening the scoring in an eventual 3-0 win. Sofyan Amrabat, meanwhile, could keep his place as a roving left-back with Reguilon joining Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia amongst the walking wounded.