Manchester United’s torpid 1-0 Premier League defeat to title-chasing Arsenal prompted the latest installment of one of English football’s great traditions of the last decade.
Wayne Rooney took on the role of a retired United great who appears as a television pundit to devastatingly destroy the current crop at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag sent a team as well repaired as the roof of the old stadium through a series of injury casualties. Leandro Trossard scored the only goal thanks to another error by Casemiro, whose transition to emergency center back has been a gamble that has gone terribly wrong.
“Some of those players can play at 100 per cent,” Rooney, United’s top scorer, said on Sky Sports when asked about United’s alarming injury list. “Because they are getting a bit of pressure, it is easy for players to sit out and come back to the FA Cup final and prepare for the European Championship.
“I’ve seen it with my own eyes over the years. The players who have been injured are not getting the credit right now and the coach takes all the responsibility.”
“I think the players really have to look at themselves, because when you have your manager doing an interview and he talks about the attitude and that the attitude of the players is not the right one to play for Manchester United, that is a huge insult.
“If I see my manager saying that, then there’s no way I’m going to let it go until the end of the season. And it seems like some players are just trying to get to the end of the season.”
“I would feel insulted” ?
Rooney on how players should feel about Ten Hag’s post-match interview ? pic.twitter.com/mZvZ3QlQbP
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 12, 2024
The idea of making the most of injuries was the most damning allegation in Rooney’s assessment and also the most difficult to prove with certainty. However, United fans are understandably concerned about the type of team they might have to field, with City having entered their usual battle mode at this stage of the season.
Below is the full list of United’s injury and absence concerns, along with whether or not the players could be ready to feature in the FA Cup final.
Man United 2024 FA Cup Final Team News: Who will return from injury?
United’s injury problems have persisted all season and they could be missing several first-team players for the FA Cup final on May 25. Here are those who hope to return.
Bruno Fernandez
Portuguese playmaker Fernandes missed a United game through injury for the first time as Ten Hag’s men were thrashed 4-0 at Crystal Palace and his lack of creative drive against Arsenal showed how much he is missed.
“Bruno trained for two days but didn’t go far enough [along] recover from his injury and be part of the team,” Ten Hag said before the game, suggesting that United’s final home game of the season against Newcastle United in midweek looks a likely return date.
Return goal: Newcastle (H), May 15
Is he likely to be fit for the FA Cup final? Yeah
Willy Kambwala
Teenager Willy Kambwala has provided one of the few bright spots at Old Trafford in his breakout season. He ended a three-match absence to play the final 15 minutes against Arsenal in place of Jonny Evans and Ten Hag is in dire need of an athletic, fit centre-back from the start of the games.
Return goal: Newcastle (H), May 15
Is he likely to be fit for the FA Cup final? Yeah
Amad Diallo
Amad made his first Premier League start in two years and 355 days against Arsenal but limped off with 20 minutes remaining. The Ivorian winger posted on social media that he was “fine” after the game and Ten Hag will be hoping to have him in contention for United’s final two league games.
Return goal: Newcastle (H), May 15
Is he likely to be fit for the FA Cup final? Yeah
Scott McTominay
McTominay captained United and played 90 minutes against Arsenal, having sat out the previous match due to a hyperextended knee. The Scottish midfielder went down late with apparent joint pain against the Gunners, but there is no indication at this stage that the problem is serious.
Return goal: Newcastle (H), May 15
Is he likely to be fit for the FA Cup final? Yeah
Mark Rashford
Rashford returned to training ahead of the Arsenal game and has not featured since the FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City. Although he has endured a miserable season, the 26-year-old’s resurgence would be a boost for a United team that has scored once in its last three Premier League games, with that goal in a 1-1 draw with relegated Burnley .
Return goal: Newcastle (H), May 15
Is he likely to be fit for the FA Cup final? Yeah
antonio martial
This one is harder to read because Martial trained before the Crystal Palace and Arsenal defeats, but did not feature in the matchday squad. This could be because he needs to improve his physical fitness. Alternatively, all parties could have decided to let Martial’s United career come to an end, with him contracted until the end of this season.
Return goal: Newcastle (H), May 15
Is he likely to be fit for the FA Cup final? Yeah
bricklayer assembly
Mount suffered the latest setback of an injury-blighted debut campaign at United when he was ruled out of the Arsenal game. “It’s a minor problem. So he definitely won’t be out for the whole season. I think within a couple of days he will be back. Maybe Newcastle is too short, but I think he can be available for Brighton,” Ten Hag told MUTV, referring to Here at least there is less need for guesswork.
Return goal: Brighton (A), May 19
Is he likely to be fit for the FA Cup final? Yeah
Lisandro Martínez
Foot, knee and now calf injuries have decimated the season of United’s most influential defender from 2022/23. Martinez returned to training last week but, given his previous setbacks, United are more likely to stop him in an attempt to repel City’s attack at Wembley.
Return goal: Man City (N), May 25
Is he likely to be fit for the FA Cup final? Maybe
Harry Maguire
Maguire compounded United’s existing central defense crisis by suffering a muscle injury earlier this month. The prognosis for recovery was a three-week absence, meaning the FA Cup semi-final goalscorer has a winnable run to be fit for the Red Devils’ Wembley date.
Return goal: Man City (N), May 25
Is he likely to be fit for the FA Cup final? Maybe
Rafael Varane
Varane has not featured since he was sent off from United’s match against Chelsea on April 4 before the match at Stamford Bridge became a complete farce. Unlike Rashford and Martínez, the former Real Madrid defender has not yet resumed training and his Premier League season is likely over.
Return goal: Man City (N), May 25
Is he likely to be fit for the FA Cup final? Maybe
Victor Lindelof
Shortly before Varane went lame, Lindelof suffered a hamstring injury during the 1-1 draw at Brentford. The Swedish international was expected to be out for at least a month, since then the trail has gone cold. Like his central defense teammates, it would be premature to rule him out of the cup final.
Return goal: Man City (N), May 25
Is he likely to be fit for the FA Cup final? Maybe
Luke Shaw
First choice for United and England when fit and proper, a familiar history of injury problems has hit Shaw this season. “Luke Shaw also had a setback in his process, but there is still hope and he will fight to be available for the final,” Ten Hag said before the Arsenal game.
Return goal: Man City (N), May 25
Is he likely to be fit for the FA Cup final? Maybe
Tyrell Malacia
Shaw’s problems have been compounded by the fact that Malacia has not played since the final day of last season. After that, the left back underwent knee surgery and new setbacks mean that the preseason is now his focus.
“I think it’s going to be difficult to make this season available,” Ten Hag said in March. “He will fight, he is back on the field, but not in the team and the process had some setbacks and is still moving very slowly, and the season is coming to an end.”
Return goal: 2024/25 season
Is he likely to be fit for the FA Cup final? No
Possible Man United lineup for 2024 FA Cup final
Given how United’s injured players are recovering, this is a likely lineup for the FA Cup final against Man City.
4-2-3-1, from right to left: Onana (GK) – Dalot, Evans, Martínez, Wan-Bissaka – Mainoo, Casemiro – Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford – Hojlund
