Ten Hag ‘frustrated’ by Man Utd’s medical staff over two key stars

ERIK TEN HAG has expressed his immense ‘frustration’ with Manchester United’s medical staff after receiving assurances over two injured stars.

The Old Trafford boss says he was told in December that left-backs Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw could return the following month.

United are 11 points behind the Premier League’s top four ahead of Saturday’s home game against lowly Everton.

And Ten Hag has suffered defensive headaches all season, despite Harry Maguire regaining his regular place at centre-back with solid form.

Malacia’s situation tops his list of fitness concerns.

The 24-year-old Dutchman could sit out the entire season with a bad knee.

Meanwhile, England star Shaw returned to Newport in the FA Cup in January.

But he then limped off injured to Aston Villa on February 11 and again to Luton the following week.

Ten Hag admitted that the left-back saga has turned into a nightmare.

He said: “In December I had the discussions internally with the medical department and the implementation [staff]. They assured me that they (Shaw and Malacia) will both be fit in January and so you will have two left wing-backs.

“We’re talking about one of my biggest frustrations there.

“You can accept that a player is not available in a position, but if two players are not available during the course of the season, it is very frustrating.

“Because that is also very difficult to catch up on as a team, but we dealt with it in the best way.”

He added: “I think it will be difficult for him (Malacia) to be available this season.

“He will fight, he is back on the pitch but not in the team and the process has had some setbacks for him. He is still progressing very slowly and the season is coming to an end.”