Erik ten Hag will see the majority of his first-team squad depart for the tournament but there is one final obstacle before that happens, with United making the trip to face Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Cristiano Ronaldo has started the last two Premier League games but missed the 4-2 win over Aston Villa earlier this week due to illness. Speaking ahead of this Sunday’s game against Fulham, Ten Hag provided an update on his condition and was optimistic that the 37-year-old could be available.
“I can’t guarantee that [Cristiano will be available] now, but today he was ill,” Ten Hag is quoted as saying by the official Manchester United website.
“He can recover from that, it’s not really a serious illness that takes days or weeks, so I think it’s possible that he is available for Sunday and he will be in the squad.”
Antony, the young winger, also missed the game against Fulham and has been on the sidelines since the 3-0 win over FC Sheriff in the Europa League.
The former Ajax star was named in Brazil’s World Cup squad earlier this week and could make his return to United this weekend but he will be assessed first.
“In one hour we have training, so we will do normal stuff but we have to see,” Ten Hag continued.
“I think no big issues from yesterday’s game, but we have to see how players recover from illness, like Cristiano, [and] from injury, like Antony.
“Yesterday, Anthony Martial plays his first minutes from the start after Everton, so we have to see how he recovers. So we have some issues and some questions [to see] how we line up and what plan we take.”
SN’s verdict…
Going into the five-week break from club football, it’s paramount that United end this part of the season on a high and secure three points.
The nature of United’s 3-1 loss to Aston Villa last week really dented the positive mood but with rivals in similar positions also dropping points, it didn’t set Ten Hag’s men back.
Fulham have exceeded all expectations this season and it’s going to be a difficult test for the Reds but ending the first half of the season with a win is paramount.
