Erik ten Hag has revealed that four Manchester United players could return against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday evening.
Manchester United picked up a rather comfortable 2-0 victory in the end over EFL League One side Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium and really should have been out of sight by half-time.
A beautiful effort from Diogo Dalot and a penalty from Bruno Fernandes were enough to see United advance into the fourth round of the FA Cup where they will face Newport County or Eastleigh away from home.
Despite the victory at the DW Stadium, United had to do it without a plethora of their first-team options but managed it well.
Ten Hag says four could return
It promises to be a mouthwatering clash against Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur over the weekend and the Red Devils may well have four of their key men returning.
Speaking in the aftermath of their victory over Wigan, Erik ten Hag said: “Some players are hopeful that they can be back for the weekend, Christian Eriksen, potentially Luke Shaw. Harry Maguire maybe. Mason Mount, he needs some days or a week more.”
Having Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire back for the game against Tottenham would be a huge boost to United’s chances of picking up a victory in the game.
Mason Mount potentially missing the game would be a big blow as the Englishman has been injured for the majority of this season but when he has featured, he has looked promising.
Antony and Amad missed the Wigan game through illness and could be back in the mix too, although Ten Hag did not mention either.
Shaw and Maguire may not come in straight away
The other argument could well be that the returning English pair may not be as big of a boost for the Red Devils due to the players in their positions.
Jonny Evans and Dalot were once again brilliant against Wigan and the pair have been consistently good throughout this season.
Shaw has been injured for the majority of the season and may well have to fight to earn his place back in the first team due to the Portuguese defender’s performances.
As for Maguire, the former Leicester City defender has proven himself throughout this season so expect the 30-year-old to be right back in the team if he is fit enough to start.