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 in an injury-plagued season with only eight starts since his £60 million transfer from Chelsea, might be fit to rejoin the squad for the match against Manchester City at Wembley.
Martial has been out since early December and underwent groin surgery in January. With just seven starts this season, the French forward is expected to leave Old Trafford as a free agent after nine years, as United will not activate the 12-month extension in his £250,000-a-week contract.
Lindelof, facing an uncertain future at the club, has been sidelined for the last 10 games due to a hamstring injury sustained in late March against Brentford.
This development is a major boost for manager Erik ten Hag, who recently saw the returns of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane from long-term injuries.
Ten Hag is hopeful that Harry Maguire will recover in time for Wembley, potentially providing United with all five senior center-backs available against City.
Even if Maguire isn’t fully fit, the bench should be stronger, as Ten Hag has had to rely on teenagers in recent games.
“Our center-half position has been a nightmare this season,” Ten Hag said after last weekend’s victory at Brighton.
“I’m glad we have options now. We need to consider both quality and fitness levels, and we’ll likely need more than two center-backs next week.”
In the last two matches, Ten Hag has used Bruno Fernandes as a false nine and might continue this tactic against City. Mount could compete with Scott McTominay for the No. 10 role.