Erik ten Hag reveals plans to bring Man Utd duo back into starting XI

Erik ten Hag will not rush Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount back into the team with the Manchester United boss wary of further injury setbacks for the pair.

Hojlund has not featured this season after suffering a hamstring injury during United’s pre-season tour of the US. Mount impressed during that summer campaign, forcing his way into the team and started games against Fulham and Brighton before injury struck again.

Both players returned to training this week and are available for Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace.

‘It’s very good news,’ ten Hag told a press conference on Thursday.

‘They are back on the pitch, they are back in team training and, yeah, we have to decide whether they are fit enough to start. But I think it’s very pleasing they are back with the squad.

‘We have so many games also in this block to cover, so yeah, very happy. They did a couple of training [sessions]. We will have to see how they recover, and then, tomorrow, we will make a final call.’

Hojlund scored 16 goals in his first season at Old Trafford but was sidelined on three separate occasions with back and hamstring issues. Mount’s first season at the club after a move from Chelsea was derailed by injury, starting just eight games.

They were just two of many fitness problems United endured last season with ten Hag admitting the situation left other players ‘overloaded’ during the long campaign.

Wary of history repeating itself, the United boss will exercise caution with returning players.

‘You have to be careful. In top football you always go to boundaries,’ ten Hag said.

‘It’s not avoidable but when you have a full squad available then it’s easier to manage the load. When you are in circumstances like last season and there is a need to play, we have to overload them. We hope we can integrate them in a very careful way.’

United suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat at Selhurst Park last season, one of a number of woeful displays on the road.

The United boss insists his group will not be dwelling on that result come Saturday evening.

‘No, definitely not. It was clear. It was 4-0, totally deserved, but Saturday will be different.’