Erik ten Hag might be three positions away from getting what he wants at Manchester United

The return of Luke Shaw will edge Erik ten Hag a step closer to getting a consistent Manchester United side on the field this weekend, with the left-back to return to the squad against Everton.

Ten Hag’s squad is far from having a clean bill of health but Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro are now the only regulars to be out for an extended period, with both likely to return late next month or in January.

Andre Onana has shaken off an adductor injury picked up on international duty to prove his fitness and Rasmus Hojlund is in contention to play a part this week, having missed Denmark’s games with a muscle strain sustained in the win against Luton.

ALSO READ: Ten Hag addresses Varane future and possible striker signing

ALSO READ: Two damning stats highlight United's predictable problem

Christian Eriksen is likely to miss the away day triple-header against Everton, Galatasaray and Newcastle, but is due back in mid-December to step up the competition in midfield once again.

Listening to Ten Hag talk to broadcaster beIN SPORTS this week, ahead of that trip to Goodison Park, it was clear the Dutchman was confident United’s fortunes are in the process of turning a corner and he believes that will continue to be the case once he can pick a regular XI, having been dealt a difficult hand with injuries so far this season.

“We are, say, one-third [through the season],” he explains. “It was a tough start, as we've seen, but I think we are catching up. And from the last five games we’ve won four. So we are in a good mood and I think we are [heading] in the right direction.

“So, before we go into that intense programme in December, I think we're building and we're building confidence. We're building strong belief, and we're building