Erik Ten Hag 'expects' three Man United stars to return vs Liverpool

Man United boss Erik Ten Hag expects three of his stars to return to face Liverpool in the FA Cup next week. The Reds could face a very strong side.

Erik Ten Hag has been bemoaning injuries this week, claiming they've stopped him from an all-time great start as Manchester United boss. United, who have missed the sixth-most collective days through injury in the Premier League, have been missing stars at times this season.

But it seems their crisis will ease up as Liverpool visit Old Trafford next weekend. The two rivals clash in the FA Cup and Ten Hag expects to have a few players return for the game.

"For next week, some players are planning to return," he told reporters, per the Daily Mail. "Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, I expect them to be available for our game against Liverpool.

"[Rasmus] Hojlund as well."

Man United expecting returns vs Liverpool

We'll see if Liverpool can count on the same number of players returning. Darwin Nunez, Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah all got back on the pitch over the last week - but there are still several missing.

Trent Alexander-Arnold could be back by then, but after the international break feels more likely. The Reds are still waiting on Curtis Jones, too, while it's unlikely that Alisson Becker is fit.

Joel Matip and Diogo Jota will certainly miss the clash at Old Trafford. It remains to be seen what condition Ibrahima Konaté is in after he went off early in midweek. And, of course, the team still needs to get through a crunch fixture with Manchester City before taking on United.

The big bonus for Liverpool is that their second leg vs Sparta Prague should be a formality. Jurgen Klopp can rotate heavily after the 5-1 on Thursday, allowing him to rest players to face United.