Manchester United have received a significant boost ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final, with Mason Mount, Anthony Martial, and Victor Lindelof returning to training on Wednesday. Mount, who has missed the last three matches due to injury, has had a difficult season plagued by physical setbacks. Since his £60 million transfer from Chelsea, he has only managed to start eight games. Nonetheless, there is hope that he could be fit to rejoin the squad for the crucial match against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.
Martial, sidelined since early December and following groin surgery in January, has also returned to training. This season, he has made only seven starts and is expected to leave Old Trafford as a free agent after spending nine years at the club. United have decided not to activate the 12-month extension in his contract, which pays him £250,000 per week.
Lindelof has been out for the past 10 games due to a hamstring injury he sustained in the match against Brentford at the end of March. His return, along with Mount and Martial, is a significant boost for United manager Erik ten Hag. Recently, ten Hag has seen the return of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane from long-term injuries as well, bolstering his defensive options.
Ten Hag is also hopeful about Harry Maguire’s recovery, which would mean having all five senior center-backs available for the clash against City. Even if Maguire is not fully fit, ten Hag will have a stronger bench compared to recent games, where he has had to rely on teenagers to fill gaps.
“Our center-half position has been a nightmare this season,” ten Hag remarked after United’s victory at Brighton last weekend. “I’m glad we have options to choose from now. We need to consider both quality and fitness levels, and we’ll likely need more than two center-backs next week.”
In the previous two matches, ten Hag has used Bruno Fernandes as a false nine, a strategy he might continue against City. With the potential return of Mount, there will be competition for the No.10 role, with Scott McTominay also in contention.
This development provides ten Hag with much-needed options. The season has been challenging due to numerous injuries, particularly in defense. The return of key players like Mount, Martial, and Lindelof offers the team more flexibility and strength as they prepare for one of the most important matches of the season. The manager’s ability to field a more experienced and balanced squad could be crucial in their quest to secure the FA Cup.
Overall, the return of these players is a timely boost for Manchester United, who are looking to finish the season on a high note with a victory over their city rivals. With key players returning to fitness, ten Hag will have a more robust squad to select from, potentially increasing their chances of success at Wembley.
