Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has revealed that Rasmus Hojlund and Antony could potentially make their returns from respective injuries in the crucial Champions League clash with Galatasaray on Wednesday.
The Red Devils have faced injury challenges throughout the 2023–24 season, with Hojlund and Antony being among the players sidelined.
Hojlund, recovering from a hamstring strain that kept him out of Denmark’s November internationals, and Antony, who recently suffered a knock, missed the 3-0 win against Everton on Sunday. However, both players were seen back in first-team training ahead of the Champions League match.
Ten Hag confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Hojlund and Antony are part of the 22-player traveling squad for the Galatasaray fixture, indicating a potential return to action for the upcoming crucial match in the Champions League campaign.
When asked about the duo’s availability, Ten Hag simply replied: “They are in the squad.”
After impressing in the weekend victory at Everton, 18-year-old midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is in line for another start. Ten Hag quickly sought to play down any issues the teenager could have playing in front of a hostile atmosphere.
“We don’t have fear. If players are good enough, then they are old enough,” he added.
United will be eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage if they lose to Galatasaray on Wednesday as the Turkish giants would open up a four-point gap with just one matchday remaining. Should United be defeated and Copenhagen beat Bayern Munich, they will be dumped out of Europe altogether.
Ten Hag’s side have picked up three points from their opening four matches, compared to the four points of Galatasaray and Copenhagen and 12 of Bayern, who visit Old Trafford in December.