Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has revealed that both Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans are in line to feature against Chelsea in the Premier League on Thursday night.
On Tuesday, the Red Devils revealed that Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez were set to be out of action for the next month, with the former picking up a hamstring issue against Brentford last time out, while the latter suffered a calf problem during a training session.
Man United were facing a potential injury crisis in the middle of their defence ahead of the Chelsea clash, as Varane was forced off at the interval against Brentford, while Evans has been absent for the team's last two matches due to an injury problem.
However, speaking on Wednesday afternoon, Ten Hag revealed that both were in contention for the game at Stamford Bridge.
Harry Maguire is also set to be available, with the ex-Red Devils captain featuring off the bench against Brentford after recovering from the minor issue that he suffered on international duty with England.
"No more issues, we don't need. On the frontline and midfield we are okay and we have options there but in the backline we have a lack of options but the good thing is back in training this afternoon is Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans," Ten Hag told reporters.
Ten Hag 'has an idea' of reason for muscular issues
Man United have struggled with a number of injury problems throughout the season, and Ten Hag has said that he 'has an idea' of why the issues have occurred.
"We have an idea but we will work on it. Internally, we will deal with it," he added on Wednesday.
"You can't prevent, it's not only us who've had this, the standards of the Premier League from an intensity perspective are so high, the overload of the schedule, international football is so huge, we have internationals in our squad.
"[Manchester] City, Liverpool and Newcastle [United] have problems, many other teams. In this moment, especially the defensive department but the midfield and frontline the players are available."
Mason Mount came off the bench to score his first Man United goal in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Brentford, and there had been suggestions that he was in line for a start against his former club on Thursday.
Ten Hag to protect Mount after injury issues
However, Ten Hag has hinted that the playmaker will again be a substitute for the first whistle at Stamford Bridge.
"He's a fantastic football player but it's important first that he is getting and keeping fit because he has had three injuries," the Dutchman added.
"Like with Licha (Lisandro Martinez), another injury, you want to avoid and we have to do this carefully. The first objective is to keep him fit. Then he can benefit and contribute to the team like he did on Saturday when he had a big impact."
Man United are currently sixth in the Premier League table, nine points behind fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, and 11 from fourth-placed Aston Villa, with both teams having played a game more than Ten Hag's side.
The 20-time English champions have three more league games against Chelsea, Liverpool and Bournemouth before taking on Championship side Coventry City in the semi-finals of the FA Cup on April 21. body check tags ::
