Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund, the injured Manchester United players, returned to training in advance of the team’s trip to Crystal Palace. Erik ten Hag intends to carefully integrate them.
The Red Devils defeated Southampton 3-0 and Barnsley 7-0 in the Carabao Cup to recover from heartbreaking losses to Brighton and Liverpool prior to the international break.
The focus of United now shifts to their trip to Selhurst Park on Saturday in the Premier League, where Hojlund and Mount may make their comeback from injury.
Hojlund has missed the last three games due to a hamstring injury he suffered during the preseason friendly against Arsenal in Los Angeles in July, while Mount has been sidelined due to a muscular ailment.
Ten Hag praised their return to the field as excellent news. They have resumed their team workouts.
It is great that they are healthy and back in the team, but we still need to determine if they are ready to start. We are thrilled to have so many titles to cover in this block.
“The last decision must be made by us. They participated in a few training sessions. We will make a final decision tomorrow when we observe how they recuperate.
Absences affected Hojlund’s and Mount’s first seasons after joining from Atalanta and Chelsea, respectively, in the summer.
Between 2023 and 2024, the latter missed a total of 30 games, and Hojlund missed multiple games as well.
Ten Hag responded, “Careful and top football you always go to boundaries,” when asked about the necessity to exercise caution around players like Hojlund and Mount. It cannot be prevented.
It’s simpler to handle the workload, though, when your entire squad is accessible.
“You also have to overburden them when you find yourself in situations similar to those from the previous season and you have to play. We’re hoping to incorporate them with extreme caution.
Ten Hag’s second season in command of United was marred by injury, and this is their first visit back to Selhurst Park since their 4-0 humiliation in May.
Though Ten Hag referred to it as the “worst defeat” in a miserable league season, the Dutchman is optimistic about a much better showing at Palace on Saturday night.
Ten Hag answered, “Not specifically (are there lessons from that experience).”
We are aware of the challenges and aggressive environment that await us, but we also understand the unique conditions that set us apart from anything else.
“We lacked a physically fit squad. We were forced to play one or two players who were perhaps only twenty percent fit.
“This occasion is entirely distinct. Now that we have a healthy squad, we can confidently count on eighteen men to rise to the occasion.
When asked if that was the kind of event he stored away to make sure it never happened to him, he replied, “No, definitely not.”
“It was evident, and the 4-0 victory was well-earned, but Saturday will be unique.”
