Manchester United winger Antony is losing his fight to be fit for Saturday's FA Cup final showdown.
The Brazilian winger suffered a leg injury half-an-hour into United's 4-1 win over Chelsea eight days ago and was carried from the pitch on a stretcher. Although United boss Erik ten Hag said at the time the injury looked “serious” there was optimism the £82milllon star would recover in time.
But Ten Hag has since confessed it is unlikely the 23-year-old will be fit to face United's local rivals Manchester City at Wembley. Asked about Antony's chance of playing, Ten Hag said: “It's unlikely. He does still have a chance, but a really small chance.
“He didn’t make the progress, so when I say he still has a chance, it's unlikely he is available. When I have these questions so many times, about the absence of players in the last couple of months, every time I say the same answer.
“It's about the players who are available and every time we were successful. Not every time, but a lot of times, many times, we were successful. We have a good squad and from the good squad we'll make a good team.”
Ten Hag said the outcome of the final will have no bearing on what must be done in the transfer market this summer by United, if they are to have any chance of closing the gap on City next season.
Although United finished third, ensuring an immediate return to the Champions League, they were 14 points behind champions City, with Ten Hag having already identified where he needs to strengthen his squad.
“Of course it's a test, but you can’t set those conclusions on the basis of one game,” said Ten Hag. "So therefore you need more, and already I made the evaluations and made my conclusions but, nevertheless, it's a good test on Saturday.
“I think we've had a good season but, of course, we have a great opportunity to make it a very good season. It's great that we deserve that opportunity to be in a cup final and meet City.
“It's a great opportunity and we fought so hard for it, I think we progressed so well that we're in the FA Cup final. I think it's very good when you see where we came from and you see the development, the progress of the team.
“When you're in a tough league as the Premier League, and you're third and winning the League Cup and you are in the final of the FA Cup, I think you can be happy with the season. But also I know, after summer we start again, we start on zero.”
