Prior to Manchester United’s encounter against Chelsea on Thursday, Erik ten Hag has downplayed the possibility that Mason Mount will be called back into the starting lineup.

Only days after scoring what appeared to be an unfair late winner against Brentford, before Kristoffer Ajer gave the Bees a last-gasp equalizer, Mount makes his first return to his boyhood club since a £55 million summer move to Old Trafford. Mount is looking for his first start since October.

“He’s a great football player, but his three injuries make it more important than anything else that he stays healthy,” Ten Hag told reporters on Wednesday.

We need to go cautiously because, similar to Lisandro Martinez’s ιnjury, you want to prevent it. Maintaining his fitness is the main goal. After that, he can help the squad and make a significant contribution, just like he did on Saturday.

Victor Lindelof sustained a hamstring ιnjury against Brentford, which United revealed on Tuesday will require him to miss at least four weeks of play.

After making his first appearance off the bench for almost two months on Saturday night, Argentine defender Martinez will also miss the match against Chelsea due to yet another setback during training with a calf issue.

After Harry Maguire replaced Raphael Varane as a precaution at halftime against Brentford, Varane is back in training. Kambwala, who graduated from the academy, is on standby, and Jonny Evans will resume training on Wednesday.

Ten Hag continued, “In the front line and midfield, we are okay.” “And there are possibilities for us, but there aren’t many for the backline.

Fortunately, Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans are back in training this afternoon. Harry Maguire resumed his workout yesterday.”

United’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League are dwindling. The 1-1 draw against Brentford has left the Red Devils in sixth place, eight points behind fifth-place Tottenham.

United will try to win at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night for the first time in more than four years.

United hosts Liverpool in a rematch of their exciting 4-3 triumph last month, which secured Ten Hag’s team a spot in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley. United travels to West London for the match.

Along with backup goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, Ten Hag is still without players like Anthony Martial, Tyrell Malacia, and Luke Shaw.

Man Utd starting lineup prediction: Onana, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Maguire, Dalot; McTominay, Mainoo; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund