De Ligt and Mazraoui could face Fulham

Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui joined the Reds from Bayern Munich on Tuesday and have been training at Carrington over the past few days, with preparations ramping up for our Old Trafford meeting with the Cottagers.

They could now be in line to make their United debuts, as the 2024/25 league season gets under way at 20:00 BST.

“They will be in the squad,” said Ten Hag, when asked about the former Ajax and Bayern pair’s situation.

The Dutchman also confirmed that Harry Maguire is fit to feature but Luke Shaw was added to the injury list earlier this week, with the left-back set to miss the first few games due to a calf injury.

Our no.23 had to sit out of the last portion of the 2023/24 campaign, before returning for England at the Euros, but the manager doesn’t believe this current issue is too serious.

“I think he will return in the short term, it doesn’t take long,” Ten Hag added.

“We are looking forward of course, Luke Shaw is a very important player for our team.

“He is massively important so we want to get him back as soon as possible but we can’t force this process.”

Shaw joins Rasmus Hojlund, Tyrell Malacia and Leny Yoro on the sidelines, but Ten Hag preferred to focus on those who would be able to line up against Marco Silva’s side.

“The issues are there, but it’s not about the players who are not available. Like I said last season, it’s about the players who are available and we have a good group.

“We can make a strong selection, we can put out a strong team, so we will do.”

Friday’s visitors appear to have no significant injury issues, and could give debuts to summer signings Jorge Cuenca, Ryan Sessegnon and Emile Smith Rowe.