Erik ten Hag confirms injured Man Utd duo are set to miss FA Cup clash, plus Mason Mount latest

Erik ten Hag has confirmed two of his injured players will not return in time to face Newport County on Sunday.

Manchester United have welcomed back several players from injury in recent weeks, including Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Casemiro. Ten Hag said two weeks ago that he hoped Victor Lindelof, Tyrell Malacia and Mason would be back after the two-week winter break, but revealed on Friday that at least of the trio are still absent.

"It's a strong side and we have still some injuries, like [Victor] Lindelof and [Tyrell] Malacia," the United manager told MUTV ahead of the weekend’s FA Cup fourth-round tie. "This morning, [Marcus]Rashford was ill and [Jonny] Evans was ill. So we have to see how they recover but we have, for the rest, players returning, like Martinez, like Shaw, like Maguire, like Casemiro, which is a good thing,” he added.

Meanwhile, United posted images on Friday of Mount working on his fitness and it seems he’s set to sit out the FA Cup tie at Rodney Parade.

United said via their website that Mount has been ‘working diligently’ and ‘has been focused on his rehabilitation’. “Always positive, Mount has remained upbeat while training individually with the club’s medical staff and doing everything that he can to return as strongly as possible,” they added.

Along with Lindelof, Malacia and Mount, United will be without Sofyan Amrabat and Andre Onana this weekend due to their involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations. Ten Hag confirmed on Friday that Altay Bayindir will come in to replace the latter against Newport.

“Yeah, he [Bayindir] will be in the goal. I think it is clear what we can expect from him. He waits for his chances but he is experienced.

“He played for a big club in Turkey where there is big pressure. He knows how to deal with it and we were all very convinced when we brought him into this club. That is not a decision for just one man. 

“We are looking forward to Sunday. Altay is very motivated, of course, and he can't wait for this moment. Now, this is his moment.”