Erik ten Hag gives Diogo Dalot fitness update ahead of Reading clash

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Erik ten Hag has conducted his pre-match press conference before Manchester United face Reading in the FA Cup fourth round tomorrow.

United are on a run of three cup matches in a row, with this game at Old Trafford coming in between both legs of the EFL Cup semi-final clash with Nottingham Forest.

Ten Hag was asked about his full-backs and said that Diogo Dalot will definitely miss the game tomorrow, with Luke Shaw remaining a doubt.

He was also keen to praise Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Tyrell Malacia for their recent performances, and said the whole back four was impressive against Forest on Wednesday, when United won 3-0 at the City Ground.

Erik ten Hag press conference before Manchester United vs Reading

When pressed for a fitness update, Ten Hag said: “Dalot, definitely out. I think so Shaw, question mark, so we have to see after today’s training if he is available or not.”

The Dutchman was asked if Wan-Bissaka and Malacia deserve more credit and replied: “Oh, I think Aaron and Ty, they play magnificent at this moment.

“On Wednesday, they were really brilliant. The whole back four was brilliant on the Wednesday game, so we have some real depth in the back four in the squad.

“That’s what you need when you have ten games in 30 days and hopefully it will continue after that as well.”

Ten Hag was also asked about Jadon Sancho and left the door open for the England winger to make his return to action in this one.

He said: “He is training with the team and we will see, so he’s improving, he’s making steps and we will make the decision after training.

“I said he’s on the way back, he’s making steps, he’s back in team training and we have to see when he’s ready to go back into games.”

As Ten Hag eluded to, United have a frantic schedule and with all due respect to Paul Ince’s side, tomorrow looks like the best possible opportunity to make changes to the team.

That could create opportunities for some players to play, but Ten Hag has handled Sancho’s recovery very carefully and it seems unlikely he will rush him back if he is not fully ready.