Manchester United’s injury problems are easing. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag says the club will welcome back five players by the end of the month, in a major bid to the side’s top four hopes.

The Red Devils’ awful campaign can in part be put down to the club’s enduring injury problems.

The likes of Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Amad Diallo and Tyrell Malacia have all spent long stints on the sidelines.

United are out of the Carabao Cup and Champions League, while they face Wigan in the FA Cup third round on Monday.

The tournament is United’s only chance of silverware this season, though a Champions League spot remains their priority.

And the good news for the under-pressure Ten Hag is that the club will have five key players back in the next three weeks.

The Dutchman says Casemiro and Martinez are on the road to recovery, while Shaw, Harry Maguire, Mount and Malacia are ready to step up their return.

Casemiro is close to a return (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

‘Two class players,’ Ten Hag said of Martinez and Casemiro.

‘They will bring the team forward, we know that. We’re looking forward to their return to the team on matchday, but we have to wait for that, they still need some time to fully make their comeback.

‘But it’s a good signal they are back on the grass, with the team, partially in team training, then they have to make the next step to take part in full training and then they can play games.”

‘Players are at the point to return on the grass to return on the pitch, like Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Mason Mount. There are players during January who will return back into the team.’

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A major boost.