The Premier League meeting between Man Utd and West Ham on Sunday will benefit from the return of Jonny Evans and Bruno Fernandes.
United, who on Thursday night drew 1-1 with Fenerbahce in the Europa League, will travel directly from Istanbul to the London Stadium this weekend. Erik ten Hag decided to spend an additional day in the Turkish city in order to train on Friday before leaving for their upcoming match in London.
Last Sunday, they defeated Brentford 2-1 to snap their five-match losing streak, but Ten Hag is still under pressure because United is currently 12th in the Premier League. He will at least receive some respite for the Hammers game, but his ongoing injury issues this season have not made his task any easier.
After being sent off in Fenerbahce’s last Europa League match against Porto, Fernandes was suspended for the match but will be back in the starting lineup on Sunday. Evans, meanwhile, has recovered from a knock he received during Brentford’s victory, which prevented him from playing on Thursday.
Ten Hag stated during a news conference on Friday morning, “We’re staying overnight, and then we go straight to London, and then training in London on Saturday.” “We have to be ready, short turnaround and we expect of course Bruno back, and hopefully also Jonny Evans.”
Evans has been among United’s better performers this season, and with Tyrell Malacia, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, and Harry Maguire still out, his availability is especially helpful. Due to long-term injuries, Shaw, Malacia, and Yoro have not yet played this season. Maguire, along with midfielders Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount, will be sidelined for a few weeks.
Another injury occurred during Thursday’s match with Jose Mourinho’s team. Late in the game, Antony was seen leaving the stadium on crutches and wearing a protective boot on his left leg after departing the field on a stretcher.
Ten Hag responded, “I haven’t seen it, it’s just what I have to tell you out of the second hand, so from the doctor and the physio, who told me what they saw,” when asked what had occurred to the Brazilian winger. Before I can remark on this, I must first see the video.
As the team takes a cautious approach, Malacia and Yoro are now back training with the United first team but are not anticipated to rejoin the matchday squad for a few more weeks. Yoro is yet to make his United debut after undergoing surgery for a foot injury sustained in a pre-season friendly against Arsenal in July, while Malacia has not played since May 2023 due to a significant knee injury.