Manchester United were dealt a big blow on Tuesday when Anthony Martial was ruled out of Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City through injury.
The attacker picked up a hamstring strain towards the end of Sunday’s 2-1 win over Fulham having come on with 23 minutes left to play. Later assessments showed he had sustained a muscle tear.
It means he will miss his 33rd match of the season. Erik ten Hag says Antony may be ready in time for the trip to Wembley despite suffering a nasty-looking ankle injury in last Thursday’s 4-1 win over Chelsea.
ALSO READ: Anthony Martial ruled out of FA Cup final through injury
His potential return would be a massive boost given the absence of Martial. The forward's setback all but certainly mean Marcus Rashford - who got the winner against City in January’s meeting at Old Trafford - starts the game as the lead striker.
David de Gea is likely to be guarded by Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw while Fred could join Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes in midfield to add more energy against a busy City midfield.
It is a very real possibility that Ten Hag will play four midfielders against City, potentially moving Bruno Fernandes onto the right wing, but here are three more attacking line-ups he could opt for if he doesn't end up doing that.
Garnacho-Rashford-Sancho (left to right)
This would mean an FA Cup final starting spot for Garnacho just over a year after he starred in the FA Youth Cup final. It would also see Sancho start at Wembley in front of a crowd for the first time since November 2019, two years prior to his last start under the Arch behind closed doors, both for England.
Rashford has been in stellar form this season and was named the club’s player of the year. There’s no doubt he’s less effective as a lone striker than on the left, though.
Sancho-Rashford-Antony
Should Antony be fit enough, then it would likely see Sancho given the nod over Garnacho on the left. Ten Hag has stuck with Sancho despite persistent lukewarm outings, having started 11 of the final 15 Premier League games.
Sancho has three goals from both wings this season but has played on the left nine times more than the right (19 vs 10). Garnacho would likely replace him at some point.
Garnacho-Rashford-Antony
Probably the least likely selection of the three but perhaps the most popular. Least likely because Garnacho has failed to cut the mustard when starting a game, and popular because those are the front three who are most likely to produce a match-winning moment.
The likes of Casemiro and Varane may be slightly worried about the extra defensive cover they will get with both Antony and Garnacho less likely to track back.
A Manchester Evening News special souvenir edition - Fergie's First - charts United's 1992/93 title-winning campaign and you can get your hands on one here
READ MORE:
