Manchester United's torpid 1-0 Premier League defeat to title-chasing Arsenal brought about the latest instalment of one of English football's great traditions of the past decade.
Wayne Rooney took up the role of a retired United great appearing as a television pundit to witheringly pull apart the current vintage at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag sent out a team patched up about as effectively as the old stadium's roof amid a raft of injury absentees. Leandro Trossard scored the only goal courtesy of another mistake from Casemiro, whose transition to an emergency centre-half has been a gamble that's gone terribly wrong.
MORE: Was Jamie Carragher right about Casemiro?
"Some of those players can play, 100 per cent," United's record goalscorer Rooney said on Sky Sports when asked about United's alarming injury list. "Because they're getting a little bit of stick, it's easy for players to stay out and come back towards the FA Cup final and get themselves right for the European Championship.
"I've seen it for myself over the years. The players who have been injured are not filling themselves with any credit at the minute and the manager is taking all the stick for it.
"I think the players have to really look at themselves, because when you've got your manager doing an interview and he's talking about attitude, and players' attitude not being right to play for Manchester United, that is a massive insult.
"If I see my manager saying that, then there's no way I just let that ride until the end of the season. And it looks like some players are just trying to get to the end of the season."
"I would be insulted" 🙄
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 12, 2024
Rooney on how the players should feel about Ten Hag's post-match interview 👇 pic.twitter.com/mZvZ3QlQbP
The notion of making the most of injuries was the most damning indictment within Rooney's assessment and also the hardest to prove with any certainty. However, United fans are understandably worried about the sort of team they might have to field with City having slipped into their customary battle mode at this stage of the season.
Below is the full list of United's injury concerns and absentees, along with whether or not the players might be ready to feature in the FA Cup final.
Man United FA Cup final 2024 team news: Who will be back from injury?
United's injury problems have persisted all season and they could be missing several first-team players for the FA Cup final on May 25. Here are those hoping to return.
Bruno Fernandes
Portugal playmaker Fernandes sat out a United game through injury for the first time when Ten Hag's men were thrashed 4-0 at Crystal Palace and their lack of creative thrust against Arsenal demonstrated how badly he is missed.
"Bruno trained for two days but wasn't far enough [along] to recover from his injury and make the team," Ten Hag said before the game. Fernandes returned against Newcastle United and performed very well in a 3-2 victory.
Likely to be fit for the FA Cup final? Yes
Willy Kambwala
Teenager Willy Kambwala has provided one of the few bright spots at Old Trafford in his breakthrough season. He ended a three-game absence to play the final 15 minutes against Arsenal in place of Jonny Evans and was an unused sub against Newcastle. Ten Hag badly needs a fully fit and athletic centre-back from the start of games.
Likely to be fit for the FA Cup final? Yes
Amad Diallo
Amad made his first Premier League start for two years and 355 days against Arsenal but limped off with 20 minutes remaining. The Ivorian winger posted on social media to say he was "fine" after the game, and he started the win over Newcastle, scoring a brilliant goal to boot.
Likely to be fit for the FA Cup final? Yes
Scott McTominay
McTominay captained United and played 90 minutes against Arsenal, having sat out their previous game due to a hyperextended knee. The Scotland midfielder went down late on with apparent soreness in the joint against the Gunners but there is no indication at this stage that the issue is anything serious. He started the match against Newcastle and played the full 90 minutes.
Likely to be fit for the FA Cup final? Yes
Marcus Rashford
Rashford returned to training before the Arsenal game after not featuring since the FA Cup semifinal against Coventry City. He appeared as a substitute against Newcastle and, despite a very poor season, he could yet prove a valuable addition to Ten Hag's FA Cup final plans.
Likely to be fit for the FA Cup final? Yes
Anthony Martial
This is a tougher one to read because Martial trained prior to the Crystal Palace and Arsenal defeats but did not feature in the matchday squad. This could be down to him needing to build fitness. Alternatively, all parties might have decided to let Martial's United career meander to a close, with his contract up at the end of this season. His farewell wave to Old Trafford following the Newcastle game suggests he may not get another chance in the shirt.
Return target: Brighton (A), May 19
Likely to be fit for the FA Cup final? Yes
Mason Mount
Mount suffered the latest setback of an injury-wrecked debut campaign at United when he was ruled out of the Arsenal game. "It's a minor issue. So he's definitely not out for the season. I think a couple of days, then he'll return. Maybe Newcastle is too short but I think he can be available for Brighton," Ten Hag told MUTV. Mount was absent from the squad for the Newcastle game but will hope to be back against Brighton.
Return target: Brighton (A), May 19
Likely to be fit for the FA Cup final? Yes
Lisandro Martinez
Foot, knee and now calf injuries have decimated the season of United's most influential defender from 2022/23. Martinez was back in training last week but, given his previous setbacks, United had seemed more likely to hold him back to try to repel the City onslaught at Wembley. He did make a cameo off the bench against Newcastle, though, so another appearance against Brighton shouldn't be ruled out.
Likely to be fit for the FA Cup final? Yes
Harry Maguire
Maguire compounded United's existing centre-back crisis by suffering a muscular injury at the start of this month. The prognosis for recovery was a three-week absence, meaning the FA Cup semifinal goalscorer has a winnable race to be fit for the Red Devils' Wembley date. Ten Hag said Maguire had "a fair chance" of being ready.
Return target: Man City (N), May 25
Likely to be fit for the FA Cup final? Maybe
Raphael Varane
Varane has not featured since being forced out of United's match at Chelsea on April 4 before the game at Stamford Bridge descended fully into slapstick farce. The former Real Madrid defender is now back in training but is not likely to be risked against Brighton for what would be his last Premier League appearance before he leaves United on a free transfer.
Return target: Man City (N), May 25
Likely to be fit for the FA Cup final? Maybe
Victor Lindelof
Shortly before Varane pulled up lame, Lindelof sustained a hamstring injury during the 1-1 draw at Brentford. The Sweden international was expected to be out for at least a month, and he, like Varane, is now back in team training. Like his central defensive colleagues, it would be premature to rule him out of the cup final.
Return target: Man City (N), May 25
Likely to be fit for the FA Cup final? Maybe
Luke Shaw
First choice for United and England when fit and on form, a familiar tale of injury woes has struck for Shaw this term. "Luke Shaw had a setback in his process as well but there is still hope and he will fight to be available for the final," Ten Hag said prior to the Arsenal game, although he later admitted there was only "a very small, reduced chance" that Shaw would be back.
Return target: Man City (N), May 25
Likely to be fit for the FA Cup final? No
Tyrell Malacia
Shaw's struggles have been compounded by the fact that Malacia has not played since the final day of last season. After that, the left-back underwent knee surgery and further setbacks mean his target is now preseason.
"I think it's going to be difficult for this season to be available," Ten Hag said in March. "He will fight, he's back on the pitch, but not in the team and the process had some setbacks and is still going really slowly forward, and the season is coming to an end."
Return target: 2024/25 season
Likely to be fit for the FA Cup final? No
Possible Man United lineup for 2024 FA Cup final
Given how United's injured players are recovering, this is a likely lineup for the FA Cup final against Man City.
4-2-3-1, right to left: Onana (GK) — Dalot, Evans, Martinez, Wan-Bissaka — Mainoo, Casemiro — Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford — Hojlund
