Erik ten Hag granted vital fitness boost ahead of FA Cup SF with one Red cleared to feature

Manchester United will be undergoing their final preparations ahead of Sunday’s trip to Wembley to face Coventry City in the FA Cup semi-finals.

The Reds will be aiming to reach the final for the second consecutive year after they went head-to-head with rivals Manchester City last term but fell short in the 90-minute clash by ultimately sustaining a 2-1 defeat.

A repeat of the fixture could well happen again this time around, as City take on Chelsea in the semis on Saturday. Therefore, United will know their potential fate before kick-off.

As has been the case throughout the majority of the campaign, Erik ten Hag is navigating an injury-plagued squad. Willy Kambwala has been called upon to deputise for the quartet of sidelined centre-backs and made his third senior start during last weekend’s draw with Bournemouth.

Centre-back partnership likely set in stone already

You’d expect that – barring any late returnees – the 19-year-old will be deployed from the offset, again partnering Harry Maguire, who has been cleared to play despite missing Tuesday’s training session at Carrington.

He was spotted clutching his thigh and walking gingerly throughout the clash at the Vitality Stadium, so sat out of yesterday’s session with his teammates as a precaution, according to Manchester Evening News.