Rasmus Hojlund in late fitness race to feature against Everton; Andre Onana, Luke Shaw boost

Posted by Mittie Cheatwood on Sunday, May 12, 2024

Erik ten Hag says Rasmus Hojlund could be in contention to make the Manchester United squad for Sunday’s trip to Everton. 

Ten Hag said it will be “close” as to whether the forward can feature at Goodison Park but was confident he will be fit to return within the next week.

Hojlund was not involved with Denmark’s squad this month after being injured and forced off during United’s 1-0 Premier League win over Luton Town Ten Hag’s side’s last game before the international break.

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Ten Hag said: “Rasmus Hojlund, not too bad. Everton will be a close finish but we’re working on that. We’re not sure if he can make that but, hopefully, in the next week, he will return to the squad.”

Hojlund was replaced with 11 minutes of normal time remaining after going down holding the back of his right leg against Luton, with it later confirmed that the striker “suffered a muscle strain,” with United adding that they hope “he will return before the end of November”.

Ten Hag added at his press conference on Friday: “Rasmus, still is a close finish. He’s training, he finished outside, making very good steps and we have to wait until tomorrow (Saturday) and we will make a final decision.”

Hojlund missed the opening month of the season following his summer move from Atalanta due to a back injury, but has started his side’s last eight Premier League matches, in addition to all four of United’s Champions League group stage fixtures, scoring five goals.

Christian Eriksen also withdrew from the Denmark squad due to a knee injury sustained against Luton but is not yet available to return.

“Christian will take a little bit longer,” Ten Hag said. “It will take some weeks until he will return.”

United are already contending with a number of injury concerns, with Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Jonny Evans and Amad Diallo all sidelined.

But goalkeeper Andre Onana is set to play, despite giving his manager a scare when he came off towards the end of a Cameroon World Cup qualifier against Mauritius.

“Andre is okay, he’s good,” Ten Hag said on Friday.

Ten Hag has been handed a further boost by the return to training of Luke Shaw after a three-month absence.

Shaw played a key role as United qualified for the Champions League and won the League Cup last season, operating at both left-back and centre-back, before starting his side’s opening two matches of the 2023-24 campaign.

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Luke Shaw will be available for Sunday, he will be in the squad,” Ten Hag added at his press conference.

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

Shaw returns to Man Utd training after injury absence

(Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

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