Erik ten Hag has provided an update on his Manchester United squad and confirmed Raphael Varane is in contention to feature this weekend.
United travel to face Everton on Sunday evening as the Red Devils look to bounce back from an emphatic Manchester derby defeat last weekend.
Varane picked up an ankle injury during the 6-3 loss at the Etihad and missed the club’s Europa League clash with Omonia Nicosia on Thursday night.
Ten Hag has confirmed that the France international has made progress on his issue and will be assessed ahead of the trip to Goodison Park. Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Donny van de Beek – who spent the second half of last season on loan at Everton – remain sidelined.
“It is difficult to say [if any more players will be available]. [Raphael] Varane has made progress and he might be available but I think it will be close,” said Ten Hag at his pre-match press conference.
“From the other players, Harry Maguire [is] not, Aaron Wan Bissaka and Donny van de Beek [are] both not.”
Ten Hag spoke further on Van de Beek, who has struggled to make an impression at Old Trafford. The midfielder, who also played under the Dutchman at Ajax, has returned to training and Ten Hag and confirmed he will be given a chance to impress this season.
“He has a muscle injury that took a couple of weeks,” Ten Hag added.
“He is now back on the training ground. He is outside doing his work. But it is still individual. He has not returned to team training. We have to wait for that moment.
“He has to be fit. Obviously that is a disadvantage. He is now, for two and a half years, here. He had a pre-season, which was quite okay. His chances will come.
“He came on against Brighton and he did very well. But you have to be available. When you are not available, you cannot get a place in the first eleven. Now he has to make sure that he can get fit and then fight for his position.”
