Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui could make their Manchester United debuts in the club’s season opener against Fulham.
The defensive duo joined the club from Bayern Munich this week and have been training with the first-team squad in recent days.
Despite a lack of involvement in the pre-season campaign, Ten Hag has said both players will be selected in the squad when the Red Devils kick-off the Premier League campaign at home to Fulham on Friday evening.
“They will be in the squad,” the Dutchman said at his pre-match press conference.
Mazraoui is an option to deputise at left-back with first-choice Luke Shaw sidelined. The England international has endured a torrid time with injuries of late and made just 12 appearances in the Premier League last season.
Ten Hag provided an update on the condition of Shaw and said the club are hopeful the 29-year-old is only out for the ‘short term’.
“I think he will return in the short term, it doesn’t take long,” Ten Hag added.
“We are looking forward of course, Luke Shaw is a very important player for our team.
“He is massively important so we want to get him back as soon as possible but we can’t force this process.
Straight to it for our latest recruits 🫡#MUFC
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“The issues are there, but it’s not about the players who are not available. Like I said last season, it’s about the players who are available and we have a good group.
“We can make a strong selection, we can put out a strong team, so we will do. They [new signings] will be in the squad and Harry Maguire will be in the squad as well.”
Ten Hag was asked on his pre-season preparations with the summer’s international tournaments having impacted those available for the summer schedule.
“It’s true, it’s not the pre-season where in five to six weeks you work on a team, it’s very complicated.
“The USA tour squad and then we added the players at Euros and Copa America and now new signings and we have to make a team from it.
“That team is not ready but the league starts and more managers have this problem.
“Still, we have some room, have some principles and we have to make a start. We can’t hide, we have to deal with it.”
When do Manchester United face Fulham?
Manchester United begin their Premier League campaign against Fulham at Old Trafford. The fixture will take place on Friday 16th August with a kick-off time of 8pm BST.
