Manchester United's Antony "unlikely" to be available for FA Cup final

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has admitted that it is "unlikely" Antony will be available for the FA Cup final against Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.

The Brazil international was stretchered off the field with an apparent ankle injury during the 4-1 win over Chelsea in the Premier League last Thursday.

Antony, as expected, was absent for Sunday's clash with Fulham, which the Red Devils won 2-1 to secure third position in the Premier League table ahead of Newcastle United.

Ten Hag said before the match with the Cottagers that Antony's issue was only minor, and he was on course to be available for the Manchester derby at Wembley.

However, speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of the showdown with Pep Guardiola's side, the Man United boss has claimed that the forward is now "unlikely" to feature.

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"[It's] unlikely. Dos Santos still has a chance, but it's a really small chance. He didn't make the progress. So, what I say is he still has a chance, but it's unlikely he is available," Ten Hag told reporters.

The 23-year-old has been a vital player for Man United this season, featuring on 44 occasions in all competitions, scoring eight goals and registering three assists in the process.

The Red Devils will also be without the services of Anthony Martial due to a hamstring strain, meaning that Ten Hag's options in the final third of the field are limited.

However, the Dutchman has said that he would rather focus on the players who are available for Saturday's clash with the Premier League champions and Champions League finalists.

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"As I said all the time, I have these questions so many times from you all [the media] about absence from players in the last couple of months, and every time I say the same answer," he added.

"It's about the players who are available. And every time we were successful, not every time, but a lot of times, many times, we were successful. So, we have a good squad and from a good squad we make a good team."

Ten Hag was also asked about Wout Weghorst, who will see his loan deal from Burnley expire this summer, but the Dutchman refused to reveal whether the striker could join on a permanent basis.

"I am not at the moment into transfer politics. I'm into winning this game and we will do everything. Wout played very good for us, a very good contribution to the team result from where we took him," he added.

Man United ended their six-year trophy drought by winning the EFL Cup at the end of February, and the English giants are now bidding to make it a domestic cup double this weekend.