Man Utd team news: Erik ten Hag gives injury update on four players & delivers Donny van de Beek message

Erik ten Hag has given an update on the fitness of four Manchester United players ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash against Everton.

The Red Devils make the short trip to Merseyside on the back of a 3-2 win over Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League on Thursday, while they lost 6-3 to Manchester City in their latest Premier League outing.

Ten Hag will be hoping for a good response from his side against Evertin, but will be wary of an in-form Toffees side who have won their last two and are unbeaten in six league games.

And following a draining trip to Cyprus in midweek, it seems unlikely Ten Hag will be able to welcome back four of his injured players.

Asked about injuries in the build-up to Sunday’s clash at Goodison Park, the United manager said: “It’s difficult to say. [Raphael] Varane makes progress and I hope he’s available, but I think it will be close.

“From the other players, Harry Maguire [is] not [available]. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Donny van de Beek both [aren’t available].”

Ten Hag also provided an update on Van de Beek’s injury and revealed the midfielder is back in training.

“He had a muscle injury so it takes a couple of weeks,” Ten Hag explained. “He’s now back on the training ground; he’s outside doing his work. But it’s still individual, he’s not returned to team training, so we have to wait for that moment.”

Van de Beek’s next steps

It’s been another disappointing start to a season for Van de Beek, who has struggled to make an immediate impact in the opening weeks of all three campaigns since he signed for United in 2020.

Many hoped the 25-year-old would flourish under former manager Ten Hag, but he’s played 19 minutes this season and started the first five matches of the term on the bench prior to his injury.

Speaking after the win against Omonia, Ten Hag said Van de Beek’s chances ‘will come’ when he returns to fitness.

“He has to be fit and obviously that is his disadvantage,” said the United boss. “He is now here for two and a half years, he had a pre-season that was quite ok. His chances will come.

“When he came on as a sub against Brighton he did very well, but you have to be available and when you are not available you cannot get a place in the first XI. Now he has to make sure that he gets fit and then fights for his position.”