Manchester United give injury updates on five players including Harry Maguire and Casemiro

Erik ten Hag has been forced to contend with multiple key players spending time on the sidelines with injuries this season.

Erik ten Hag has reiterated Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Mason Mount and Tyrell Malacia could all be available for selection by the end of January.

United have been plagued by injury concerns this season and they have been without multiple first-team players for large portions of the campaign, but January has been earmarked for a handful of returns.

Casemiro (hamstring) and Martinez (foot) have been long-term absentees and should return to fitness by the end of the month.

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Malacia is another who has been absent for an extended period following two rounds of knee surgery and he is understood to be on track in his recovery, hence why Sergio Reguilon was sent back to Tottenham.

Mount (calf) and Maguire (not specified) are shorter-term absentees and have not played since November 11 and December 12 respectively but both are closing in on a return to fitness.

Ten Hag recently sat down with club media and when asked about Casemiro and Martinez, he said: "Two class players. They will bring the team forward, we know that. We're looking forward to their return to the team on matchday, but we have to wait for that, they still need some time to fully make their comeback.

"But it's a good signal they are back on the grass, with the team, partially in team training, then they have to make the next step to take part in full training and then they can play games."

He was asked about the remainder of the squad and added: "Players are at the point to return on the grass to return on the pitch, like Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Mason Mount. There are players during January who will return back into the team."

Amad has spent time on the sidelines with an injury this season, a knee problem that he sustained in pre-season, but he was named in the first-team squad to play Nottingham Forest.

The winger made an appearance from the bench in United's final game of 2023. "He is very ball-secure, he can bring key actions, final passes and can score a goal," said Ten Hag. "I think he has some weapons, which is always what you're looking for offensive players."

United play Wigan in the third round of the FA Cup on Monday and Amad could start.

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