08 January 2024 , 09:34
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Erik ten Hag has been hit with a fresh blow over Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro with the pair still ruled out for “weeks”.
The duo have been restricted to the sidelines over the past couple of months. Martinez has not played since September after suffering a foot injury. Meanwhile, Brazilian midfielder Casemiro has missed the last 12 Premier League games after picking up a hamstring problem. The pair have since returned to training, with fans left hopeful that they will be included in a matchday lineup sooner rather than later.
However, Ten Hag has tempered expectations by revealing that it could still be a few weeks before their return to competitive action. Man United take on Wigan in the FA Cup on Monday.
Speaking in a press conference, the Dutchman said: "They are a long time already back on the grass and now they return back into team training but not fully, so partial. Now they have to make the next steps and that may take some days, I think even weeks."
While he is not expecting to be able to call on Martinez or Casemiro any time in the immediate future, he believes that the pair will have a big impact when they are eventually back.
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Ten Hag added: “Two class players and they will bring the team forward. We know that and now we're looking forward to their return in the team on matchdays.
Both Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez have returned to training for Man United (Getty Images)Will Man Utd beat Wigan? Share your predictions in the comments below
“But we have to wait for that. They still need some time to fully make their comeback but yeah, it is a good signal that they are back on the grass with the team, in the team training. Now, we have to make the next step [to get them] fully in the team training, and then they can work with us.”
Neither Martinez nor Casemiro will play against Wigan in the FA Cup third round on Monday. One man who is in contention though is Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund.
The former Atalanta man missed the defeat against Nottingham Forest last time due to illness but could play again at the DW Stadium. Speaking out on Hojlund’s fitness, Ten Hag said: "He will return.
"He dropped out shortly before the game [against Forest] and so he was a little bit unwell before the game. The day before we expected him to play and then he dropped out shortly before the game but he is back in training."
Following the clash against Wigan, the Red Devils are back in Premier League action next weekend as they take on Tottenham at Old Trafford.