Antony’s potential return from injury for Saturday’s FA Cup final comes as an unexpected, and probably optimistic, update. The Brazilian needed crutches to walk himself into Old Trafford on Sunday after suffering a nasty-looking ankle problem inside half-an-hour of Thursday’s 4-1 win over Chelsea, having to be carried off on a stretcher.
His absence would be a blow and it seems reasonable to assume that even if fit, the winger will not be starting at Wembley against Manchester City, a team he has already scored against this season. ALSO READ: United considering possible Fred transfer to Fulham It opens the door for an FA Cup final start for Sancho, who would be beginning his first game under the arch since England’s 3-0 friendly win over Ireland in November 2021.
You have to go back to November 2019 and a 7-0 win over Montenegro to find the last time he started a game at Wembley in front of a crowd.
February’s League Cup cameo was a much happier experience than his one in the Euro 2020 final 20 months earlier. Erik ten Hag has kept faith in Sancho during the second half of the season despite mainly tepid outings.