Erik ten Hag doesn’t expect Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez to return from injury until after Christmas
Sebastian Wright
Published Apr 07, 2026
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says he expects Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez to be out of action until after Christmas.
Casemiro has been ruled out for “several weeks” with a hamstring injury he sustained in Manchester United’s 3-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle United.
Martinez, meanwhile, has been out of action since Manchester United’s defeat to Bayern Munich in September. The Athletic reported that the defender underwent a second operation on a foot injury he previously sustained in April and was expected to be sidelined for around three months.
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Ten Hag said: “I expect some back but – for instance Casemiro and Martinez – that (they) are really strong injuries and I don’t expect them back before Christmas.
“It’s several weeks (for Casemiro).
“I have some time schedules, but it’s always difficult to prospect that because they can always be setbacks during a rehab period. I’m always a little bit (more likely) to hold back on such issues.”
Ten Hag also confirmed that Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire are both fit to play in Manchester United’s Champions League clash against Copenhagen on Wednesday.
Rashford missed Manchester United’s 1-0 victory over Fulham last weekend through injury. Maguire, meanwhile, went down injured in the first minute at Craven Cottage following a collision with Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz.
Muniz’s shoulder connected with Maguire’s head, with the United defender eventually passing the ball out of play and falling to the ground.
Referee John Brooks stopped the game after 60 minutes to insist that Maguire leave the pitch for treatment, which United later said was for a hand injury. Maguire played on and completed the match.
“So we did all the protocols during and after the game, so he (Maguire) is ready to play,” Ten Hag added. “There is not any indication (of concussion). He (Maguire) was fine in the game so no problems. He played a very good game. So Rashy missed one game out, a small knock but he’s back.”
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Eriksen confident Hojlund’s best is yet to come
Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen supported team-mate Rasmus Hojlund, saying the striker “will only get better”.
Hojlund arrived at Old Trafford from Atalanta in the summer but has failed to score a Premier League goal in the eight matches he has played so far. The Denmark international has, however, netted three times in as many Champions League appearances this season.
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“First and foremost, he’s a very nice guy, he works very hard, he wants to improve and he does his things and he does his job very well. He’s integrating into the team very well,” Eriksen said.
“Of course, when you play more games, the more you get to know each other, so he’s only just arrived and will only get better.”
Eriksen, who is returning to his native Denmark when United play at Parken Stadium, said his team are focussed on earning a victory.
He added: “The only thing that matters to us is the three points. We have to put ourselves in a position to pass.”
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(Photo: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
