Rasmus Hojlund has yet to play for Manchester United this season but is included in the squad for Saturday’s match against Crystal Palace.
The striker has been sidelined since sustaining a hamstring injury during his first preseason appearance against Arsenal on July 27. However, the 21-year-old has traveled with the team to London and is expected to at least be on the bench. His return is a boost for Erik ten Hag, although United has managed well without their £62 million signing, netting 10 goals in two victories against Southampton and Barnsley this week.
Ten Hag faces a selection dilemma ahead of the game at Selhurst Park, with Amad, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Joshua Zirkzee all in good form and competing for spots in the attacking lineup. Hojlund’s return complicates this situation further, as he has rejoined the squad after being photographed with the traveling party at Manchester Airport.
On Thursday, Ten Hag indicated that the medical team would assess both Hojlund and Mason Mount, who also returned to training this week, before finalizing the squad on Friday. While Mount was not pictured, that does not necessarily mean he won’t be included, as most of the traveling group was seen at a private terminal at the airport.
“It’s very good news that they are back on the pitch,” Ten Hag said regarding Mount and Hojlund. “They are back in team training, and we need to determine if they are fit enough to start, but it’s very encouraging that they are fit and back in the squad.”
After a challenging injury situation last season, Ten Hag appreciates having a deeper squad this year, although he plans to reintegrate returning players carefully. “You have to be cautious, but top football involves pushing boundaries,” he noted. “With a full squad, it’s easier to manage workloads, especially compared to last season when we had to overload players.”
Additionally, Manuel Ugarte was seen arriving for the trip to London and may be in line for his first Premier League start. Ugarte arrived in Lisandro Martinez’s Rolls-Royce.
**Confirmed squad members:** Heaton, Maguire, Evans, Martinez, Ugarte, Casemiro, Eriksen, Antony, Garnacho, Rashford, Hojlund.
