Erik ten Hag issues 'positive' Man Utd injury report with Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw updates issued ahead of crunch Tottenham clash

Martinez was recovering from a metatarsal injury that he picked up last season and his last appearance came during Manchester United’s 4-3 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich in September. Whereas Casemiro walked off during United's Carabao Cup fourth-round defeat to Newcastle United in November and hadn't featured since then. Shaw was also unavailable in the last three matches which prompted Ten Hag to rely on Diogo Dalot in left-back. However, with all these players coming back, the manager should be able to field his strongest XI against Ange Postecoglou's men.

Speaking to reporters, Ten Hag said: "We have had a lot of injuries, so this week in training, the last couple of days, Martinez training, Casemiro training, Luke Shaw training, so there are players returning, they are coming in for selection for Sunday.”

While updating about the situation of Antony, Christian Eriksen and Amad, he added: "Eriksen was ill in the week, he will return. Antony will return. Amad will return. We have more choice in this moment in the squad to put out a starting XI and create a bench that is stronger. First it has to happen, that they are back, but it is positive they are back on the training ground and they will go back to the team, and then to 100% match fitness.”

United are currently sat eighth in the Premier League and Ten Hag's future has been a matter of speculation. They have won just once in their last five matches and Ten Hag is aware that the result against Tottenham could have crucial consequences.

"Sunday is most important and I don’t look further than that," he said. "They play really proactive, it’s enjoyable to watch them, a lot of dynamics, very proactive. When we played them, that is what we take belief out of, in the first 35 minutes, we dominated them. We should have gone in the lead. We have to make our own luck and take control of the game and finish our chances."

Spurs have won four of their last five encounters in the English top flight. United fell flat on their faces in the reverse fixture in London earlier in the campaign and should be eager to avenge that defeat in front of their home fans on Sunday evening.