Erik ten Hag confident two injured players will return against Barcelona

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag expects both Harry Maguire and Antony to be available for his side’s crunch meeting with Barcelona on Thursday.

A 2-2 draw at Camp Nou in the first leg of the Europa League knockout clash has set up a fascinating return leg at Old Trafford, for which Ten Hag will want his strongest squad available.

In a huge boost to United, Ten Hag has confirmed both Maguire and Antony appear set to return to the squad.

“We still have the training to go, but I expect Harry Maguire and Antony dos Santos available,” Ten Hag told his press conference.

Club captain Maguire, who has taken up a reserve role this season, missed the recent victory over Leicester City, while Antony picked up an injury earlier this month which has kept him out of United’s last five games.

Antony has been in the treatment room alongside striker Anthony Martial, whose absence from the squad is set to continue.

“Anthony Martial is not available,” Ten Hag explained. “He’s back, back on the pitch, not back in the team training so we wait for that.”

United’s cause has also been boosted by the returns of both Lisandro Martinez and Marcel Sabitzer, who missed the first leg against Barcelona through suspension.

Martinez is expected to return straight to the starting lineup, while Sabitzer will provide competition for both Fred and Casemiro, the latter of whom should start after missing the past three Premier League games through suspension.