Erik ten Hag admits £64m Man Utd ace has had a ‘disaster’ this season, confident it will change

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Erik ten Hag says one of his most important players has had a ‘disaster’ this season but is confident things will soon turn around for him.

It’s been a tough start to the new campaign for Manchester United with defeats to Brighton and Liverpool eroding any sense of early-season optimism.

There have been promising signs since the international break, at least, with Erik ten Hag’s side scoring 10 goals in their last two games with exciting victories over Southampton and Barnsley.

Handily defeating a newly promoted side and a League One club is hardly anything to shout about, though, and United must now kick on if the manager is to prove he can take the club forward.

Ten Hag pointed to his side’s horrendous injury record as one of the reasons for United’s worst-ever Premier League finish last term.

The injury bug has already bitten again this season, too, with Rasmus Hojlund, new signing Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof and the still-injured Tyrell Malacia all sidelined.

Ten Hag has admitted that for Hojlund, the injury setback in pre-season was a ‘disaster’.

Erik Ten Hag hoping to see Rasmus Hojlund return soon

£64m man Hojlund is yet to play a single minute of football this season after suffering a hamstring injury in United’s pre-season loss to Arsenal in July.

It was the same game in which Yoro hurt his ankle in what transpired to be a costly outing.

However, Hojlund returned to training this week and is in contention to make his comeback when United take on Crystal Palace.

Speaking to the club’s website, Ten Hag explained how much Hojlund has been working to get back fit: “It’s always very pleasing for a manager when players are available.

“Rasmus, as we all know, pre-season was a disaster for him. He’s been working so hard and he’s on the point to return.”

Does Hojlund fit into the United side?

It’s great for United to have Hojlund nearing full fitness but it’s difficult to see how he fits in the side, at least when every other forward is fit and firing.

Alejandro Garnacho, Amad and Marcus Rashford have had positive starts to the season and fans want to see them all start together vs Crystal Palace.

United in Focus have also predicted the new-look attacking trio will play together but, even if they don’t, it will be because Joshua Zirkzee, who has impressed with his hold and link-up play, will start instead.

There is no guaranteed spot for Hojlund in the team and he will have to work hard ensure he is among the goals to earn his spot.

Regardless, Ten Hag is delighted to have options again. He added: “Internal competition is good.

“But also, we have a squad with more than 11 for the line-up. We have to pick the team from game to game – sometimes from a tactical approach but also load management because we have to cover so many games.”