Manchester United duo Victor Lindelof and Antony have been ruled out of Sunday’s Premier League clash against West Ham due to minor injuries, boss Erik Ten Hag has confirmed.
The duo are unavailable for selection for the visit of the Hammers, having both started just three days earlier in the three-goal win over FC Sheriff Tiraspol. Antony has become a regular in United’s attack since his big-money summer move from Ajax while Lindelof had been deputising for Raphael Varane, who sustained an injury against Chelsea last weekend.
The absence of the Sweden international defender, coupled with Varane’s unavailability, means that club captain Harry Maguire has been restored to the starting line-up for the first time in the Premier League since the second matchday of the season. Cristiano Ronaldo – who netted in the win over Sheriff – stays in the attack alongside Marcus Rashford.
Lindelof has missed out on Sunday’s game due to illness. Speaking of Antony to Sky Sports ahead of the game, Ten Hag explained Antony's absence is due to an injury that is "not too bad" and thinks he will be back in "a couple of days" – giving hope that the Brazilian will be back in time for Thursday’s trip away to Real Sociedad in the Europa League.
The Brazilian did not have his most impactful performance during the game against the Moldovan side on Thursday, with his most eye-catching moment coming as he performed a double pirouette on the ball – before playing a pass straight out of play. Antony was substituted off at half-time for Rashford, who scored United’s second goal.
Ten Hag told reporters at his post-match press conference: “I do not have a problem with that, as long as it is functional. So from him, like everyone else, I demand more. More runs behind, being more often in the (opposition’s) box. More pressing. More dribbles against opponents. More playing in the pockets. We demand more dominance.
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“Then there is a trick like that which is nice, but as long as it is functional and you do not lose the ball. Then it is ok. But it is a trick and because of the trick, I will correct him.”
BT Sport co-commentator Robbie Savage fumed of the incident: "If I was a manager I'd drag him off." Pundit Paul Scholes added: "I don't know what he's doing. It's ridiculous. It's showboating. But that's the way he plays I've seen him do it at Ajax as well. I think he needs that knocking out of him."
United have the opportunity to go into fifth spot – with a game in hand over the teams directly above them – if they pick up the three points against the Hammers at Old Trafford.
