Erik ten Hag provides fitness update on Antony, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial ahead of Aston Villa clash

The trio were absent for Thursday's Europa League contest with Real Sociedad, which the Red Devils won 1-0, but the victory was still not enough for the team to automatically qualify for the knockout round.

Martial has been on the sidelines since suffering a back injury against Everton almost a month ago, but the France international has been back in training this week.

Antony, meanwhile, has missed Man United's last two matches against West Ham United and Real Sociedad due to an issue that he picked up in training.

Sancho was also unavailable for Thursday's game in Spain due to illness, and Ten Hag has said that all three attackers will need to be assessed before a decision is made on that involvement on Sunday.

"It's difficult to say in this moment. I have to talk with the medical and the performance team as they did a programme in Manchester. I have to hear how their progress was and if they can be available for Sunday's match," Ten Hag told reporters on Thursday night.

Alejandro Garnacho was handed a spot in the starting XI against Real Sociedad and scored his first senior goal, with the Red Devils recording a one-goal victory in the European contest.

Marcus Rashford was left on the bench for the first whistle last time out, but the England international is expected to come back into the starting XI on Sunday at Villa Park.

Bruno Fernandes will miss out against Unai Emery's side through suspension, while Brandon Williams, Axel Tuanzebe and Raphael Varane are definitely out through injury.

Ten Hag has a big decision to make in the middle of his defence, meanwhile, with Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire competing to start alongside Lisandro Martinez.

Maguire was in the XI against West Ham last weekend due to Lindelof's absence through illness, but the Sweden international came back into the side against Real Sociedad.

"I have to think about that," said the manager when asked about his options at the back. "I have to see because Aston Villa is going to be a difficult one as we don't know.

"They have a new manager and I have to have a look and analyse from that game, from that team and then we have a choice. But Licha [Martinez] and Victor played really well together over some more games.

''But I also think Licha and Harry last Sunday against West Ham United kept a clean sheet and also did really well, so that's a choice we have to make. When I choose one, it is not one thing against the other.''

Man United have won three of their last five games in the Premier League, remaining unbeaten in the process, which has left them fifth in the table, just one point behind fourth-placed Newcastle United.