Manchester United got a double boost as two of their injured players, Mason Mount and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, returned to training on Tuesday ahead of the FA Cup match against Liverpool.
Mount and Wan-Bissaka were on the sidelines for a long time due to injuries and their return would be nothing less than a blessing for Erik Ten Hag, who has been having difficulty maintaining consistency this season due to a constant injury crisis.
Wan-Bissaka last played for United in January during a 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur while Mount last wore the Red Devils’ jersey on November 11 in a 1-0 win over newly-promoted Luton Town.
Despite Wan-Bissaka and Mount’s return, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Ramus Hojlund and Harry Maguire are still absent at the moment and their return date has not been established yet.
While it is not confirmed if Mount or Wan-Bissaka will make the final squad to face Jurgen Klopp’s high-flying Reds, it is, nevertheless, great and welcoming news for Manchester United fans and Ten Hag who is aiming for a top-four finish in the Premier League.
After United’s 2-0 win over Everton, Ten Hag told the press that he is hoping to have Maguire and Rasmus Hojlund back for the match against the Merseyside club.
"Hopefully, some return," he said. "Aaron Wan-Bissaka was yesterday, on the pitch. We expect also Harry Maguire back in the squad next week. Rasmus Hojlund has good hope he will make it as well."
Even though Ten Hag was quite happy that he would have some important players back for the match against Liverpool, he maintained his stance that the clash against The Reds, by any means, would not be easy.
"It's clear. It's a great game for us and we are looking forward to that game," he added.
"But Liverpool will be the same and will also look forward [to it] as, for them, it's also a very important game.
"We will plan it, prepare very well and we have to get ready for the game. It's a huge game and a derby game, which we want to be in."