Harry Maguire is battling to be fit for Man United’s FA Cup semi-final… with the Red Devils already without SIX defenders amid an injury crisis ahead of Coventry clash at Wembley

Harry Maguire is battling to be fit for Manchester United’s FA Cup semi-final clash with Coventry at Wembley on Sunday as the club’s defensive injury crisis runs deep.

Manager Erik ten Hag is already without six senior defenders, namely Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans and Tyrell Malacia.

He revealed Maguire only trained on Friday following last weekend’s draw at Bournemouth, when he played alongside teenager Willy Kambwala for the second game in a row.

The United boss is confident Maguire will be ready in time to face the Championship club as United look to secure a place in the FA Cup final for the second year running.

“We have some problems,” Ten Hag said. “Harry had a little injury and he hasn’t trained this week so far, but now he’s back on the pitch. We hope he’ll be back on Sunday, hopefully.

Maguire did not train before returning to the field on Friday ahead of the semi-final

Erik ten Hag believes Antony will be fit to play against Coventry at Wembley on Sunday

The Dutchman also hopes Antony and Scott McTominay will be available for the match. Antony missed one game and McTominay two with a knee injury, but Ten Hag said: “Antony and Scott, I expect them to be back. Scott didn’t practice all week, partially on Wednesday. Today I expect him to (train) fully. Antony trained all week.

United will be on guard after a Coventry side pushing for promotion from the Championship shocked Premier League club Wolves 3-2 in the quarter-finals.

Ten Hag said: “We have done our job, we are prepared and we know their team, how they play, the individual abilities of the players and we know the manager, he is doing a fantastic job there so we know a lot about them.”

“Of course they are dangerous. They’re in the semi-finals, so it makes sense. Last season they weren’t that far from promotion to the Premier League, so they’re doing a fantastic job there. We saw the match against Wolves in the quarter-final, the mentality is fabulous. We have to play at our best level.

Ten Hag was unsure whether he would go better than last season, when United lost to Manchester City in the final, or what success might mean for his second campaign in charge at Old Trafford.

Scott McTominay has missed the last two games with injury but is expected to return

“Last season was last season,” he added. “We want to succeed every season, we want to win trophies. We have a big opportunity, we are in the semi-finals but it is a huge challenge. We know all the problems and when there are so many problems you have to find solutions and on Sunday we will find solutions and we want to go to the final.

“You always have to look at the circumstances we have to face, but I’m not thinking about that right now, I’m thinking about Sunday, how we beat Coventry City and the rest is for later. We’re planning for the next season but for now, it’s all about Sunday.