Erik ten Hag speaks out on Antony's return ahead of Man Utd vs Crystal Palace

Erik ten Hag has dropped a hint as to when Antony could be playing for Manchester United again after he returned to training amid domestic abuse allegations.

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United announced on Friday that Antony had returned to the club and was available for selection having spent the few weeks to deal with allegations made by his former partner Gabriela Cavallin.

She alleges that she was physically attacked by the 23-year-old on multiple occasions during their time together in Manchester and in their native Brazil, accusations the winger denies.

‘As Antony’s employer, Manchester United has decided that he will resume training at Carrington, and be available for selection, while police inquiries proceed,’ the club statement read.

‘This will be kept under review pending further developments in the case.’

Asked for his thoughts on the matter, Ten Hag was, as expected, unwilling to comment much further saying: ‘We make the statement so I refer to the statement, everything has been made clear in the statement.

No, I don’t think it’s a distraction [on the rest of the squad]. We will focus on the games. He will do as well.’

United host Crystal Palace on in the Premier League and though it is hard to imagine that Antony will feature so soon after his return, Ten Hag appeared to suggest that he could potentially be involved.

‘On Saturday, he will be back in training, so tomorrow,’ the manager said when asked when the Brazil international would be back,

‘I have to see, but I think, yeah [he’s fit].’

One player who certainly will not be involved against Palace is Jadon Sancho as his high-profile exile from Old Trafford continues, though, again as expected, Ten Hag refused to speak on the matter.

‘Many of you ask me this so often, these questions, and I have said everything. I said everything,’ was his answer in Friday’s pre-match press conference.

Lisandro Martinez and Sergio Reguilon are also set to miss out through injury as the injury crisis at the club worsens.

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