Erik ten Hag is expecting an upturn in Manchester United's fortunes in the new year as Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez and Mason Mount close in on a mid-January return.This has been a bumpy second season in the Old Trafford dugout for the Dutchman, whose side have been eliminated from Europe and seen their Carabao Cup defence ended early.United's Premier League title chances are all but over before Christmas and Ten Hag's side need to build on last weekend's dogged 0-0 draw at high-flying rivals Liverpool when they head to West Ham.The absentee-hit Red Devils are dealing with several doubts ahead of the Saturday lunchtime clash, but Ten Hag expects their injury problems to ease over the coming weeks."Now we have some doubts," said the United manager, who welcomes back skipper Bruno Fernandes from suspension but sees Diogo Dalot serve a one-match ban."We have some illnesses during the week, so we have to see who is always available for tomorrow.
Hopefully they are recovered but we have to see."(Casemiro and Martinez) are not available before Christmas, so that will be mid-January we expect them back."Mason Mount similar into January.
Harry Maguire I expect him early on and Victor Lindelof is not available. He has done a surgery so he will be out for a couple of weeks."What happened?
He had a problem and so (personal) is that, but he has to do the surgery."The impending return of such players will be a shot in the arm for a United side deprived of so many options in recent weeks and months.As well as the aforementioned, Amad Diallo and Tyrell Malacia have been unable to feature yet this season.