da brwin： Erik ten Hag remains defiant that Manchester United can turn their season around after Liverpool draw.

da bwin： Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Man Utd going through a lean patch of formInjuries to key players have hampered progressTen Hag believes Red Devils can bounce back once the injured players returnWHAT HAPPENED?

The Dutch manager is working with a beleaguered United side which have been ravished by injuries to several first-team players including Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, Harry Maguire, and Victor Lindelof. The Premier League title chances for United seem dim before Christmas, especially after last weekend's 0-0 draw with Liverpool, but Ten Hag is optimistic about reviving their fortunes once the injured players become available for selection.

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Speaking to reporters, he said: "You have to deal with that, but everyone understands that when such key players are not available it will have a negative effect on the results. Still, we are in a place (where) we can change the story, we can change the season, so I am confident when the players are back we will have a good and strong squad.”

Providing the latest injury updates, Ten Hag added: "(Casemiro and Lisandro 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. We have some illnesses during the week, so we have to see who is available for tomorrow. Hopefully, they are recovered but we have to see."

Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The mounting injuries have prompted an internal review of the medical department led by head of sports medicine Gary O’Driscoll. And Ten Hag acknowledged that there have been "many factors" behind the crisis which makes it difficult to pinpoint any particular reason.

“We did research here about it but there are so many factors in that you can’t point at one factor,” Ten Hag said. “But in this moment, what is most important is that we have to deal with it. And we have to work to get the players back as soon as possible because we know we have a strong squad in the moment we have everyone on board.”

GettyWHAT NEXT?

Ten Hag was forced to hand 19-year-old defender Willy Kambwala his senior debut in Manchester United's trip to West Ham on Saturday to manage the injury crisis.

Following their trip to London, they will take on Aston Villa on Boxing Day at Old Trafford.