2 weeks Ago By The Straits Times
Rasmus Hojlund has been out with a hamstring problem suffered during a pre-season friendly against Arsenal. LONDON – Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount could make their return during Manchester United’s English Premier League trip to Crystal Palace on Sept 21, but manager Erik ten Hag is wary of rushing the duo back from injury. Striker Hojlund has been out with a hamstring problem picked up in July’s pre-season friendly against Arsenal in Los Angeles, while midfielder Mount has missed the last three matches with a muscle complaint.
“It’s very good news they are back on the pitch,” ten Hag said on Sept 19. “We have to decide whether they are fit enough to start but it is very pleasing they are fit and back in the squad. We have so many games in this block to cover, so very happy.
” The pair cost United a combined £120 million (S$205.8 million) just over a year ago but had injury-disrupted first seasons at Old Trafford. They were not alone as the Red Devils were frequently beset by the loss of key players last campaign and paid the price by finishing eighth in the Premier League.
Ten Hag is keen to avoid a repeat of such an injury crisis that nearly cost him his job. Besides Hojlund and Mount, Victor Lindelof, Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro remain sidelined for now. “When you have a full squad available then it’s easier to manage the load,” added the United boss.
“When you are in circumstances like last season and there is a need to play, we had to overload them. So we hope we can integrate them in a very careful way.” Looking ahead to the Palace match, he knows that the nadir of a miserable league campaign arguably came at Selhurst Park in May when United were thrashed 4-0 by Palace.
But the Dutchman is confident there will be no such repeat with his squad in far better shape for the trip to south London this weekend. “We know it’s always tough, it is always aggressive there but we know also the circumstances and you can’t compare this (to last season),” he said. “We didn’t have a fit squad (then).
We had even one, two players that were maybe up to 20 per cent to play, but we had to play them. “This time is totally different. We have now a fit squad.
We have definitely 18 players who are capable to go into this good challenge for us.” Ten Hag’s men go into the game on a high after scoring more than four goals in a game under the Dutch coach for the first time in the 7-0 thrashing of third-tier Barnsley in the League Cup earlier in the week. United also beat Southampton 3-0 last weekend to bounce back from consecutive Premier League losses to Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool.
Oliver Glasner’s Palace are winless in their start of the campaign with two losses and two draws but their 2-1 League Cup victory at Queens Park Rangers has injected some much-needed positivity, thanks to goals from Eberechi Eze and new signing Eddie Nketiah. AFP, REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel now.
