Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Manchester United will be without Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount for this weekend’s clash with Liverpool.
United take on their North-West rivals aiming to bounce back from last weekend’s late loss at Brighton. Ten Hag will again be without forward Hojlund, who has failed to recover from a hamstring injury picked up in pre-season. The Denmark international is expected to return after the international break.
Mason Mount has also been ruled out. The midfielder has endured a torrid time with injuries since his arrival from Chelsea last summer and is absent with a ‘minor muscle strain’. Mount took to social media to confirm his latest issue.
“[Hojlund will be back] after the international break but when after the break? We will see how it develops during the break to get him match fit,” Ten Hag said at his pre-match press conference.
“It will take a while before he is up. He has to build some fitness.”
Manchester United are expected to announce the imminent arrival of Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain. Ten Hag all-but-confirmed a deal was done for the Uruguayan, who arrives from France for a fee that could rise to €60m.
“We had three number tens, we didn’t have any more holding midfielders, we had one. So that is the idea behind [signing him].”
Ten Hag reacts to McTominay exit
Ten Hag also spoke on Scott McTominay’s exit as the midfielder finalises a transfer to Napoli. The Dutchman admitted he had ‘mixed’ feelings over the sale but said the current Premier League rules incentivise the sale of academy players.
“I’m happy for him but [my feelings are] mixed because I would prefer not to lose him.
“He is Man United in every way. Unfortunately it is the rules. You have to do sales and then homegrown players bring more value.”
