Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has been speaking to the media before Saturday’s Premier League game against Crystal Palace (kick-off 17.30 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Ten Hag said it is “very good news” Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund are back in training but they will have to “make the final call” on their availability on Friday.
On the fitness issues of players like Hojlund and Mount: “[In] top football, you always go to boundaries. When you have a full squad available it’s easier to manage the load. We hope we can integrate them in a very careful way.”
On forward Antony, who scored in the 7-0 Carabao Cup win over Barnsley: “I think every player should give those reactions. You have to train hard, you have to perform in training, you have to earn a right to play and when the moment is your chance you have to take it.”
He added: “But, the manager can only pick 11 players and make five substitutions. So make sure you have those players in every game and that on a consistent basis they perform. Most importantly, when the chance is there, you have to perform in a game and contribute to a winning team.”
The United boss also said it is “very good” that Marcus Rashford is scoring goals “when the season is very young” as strikers “need that belief”.
He added: “Now we have a couple of players on the scoring list, it is very good for the team. It strengthens their belief [and] they will go for more and go for more goals.”
On facing the Eagles at Selhurst Park after losing 4-0 there in May: “We know it is always tough there, always aggressive but we also know the circumstances – you can’t compare this. We didn’t have a fit squad – we had one or two players up to 20% and this time it is totally different.”
Full commentary of Crystal Palace v Manchester United from 17:30 BST on Saturday on BBC Radio 5 Live
