Erik ten Hag confirms double Man Utd boost ahead of Arsenal clash as transfer confirmed

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Manager Erik ten Hag of Manchester United speaks during a press conference at Carrington Training Ground on September 01, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Manager Erik ten Hag of Manchester United speaks during a press conference at Carrington Training Ground on September 01, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Erik ten Hag has confirmed a double boost for ManchesterUnited ahead of their clash with Arsenal on Sunday.

Arsenal welcome United to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday in one of the best-looking clashes of the young season so far. The Gunners have enjoyed a solid start, winning two and drawing one, but it’s clear they are not yet at their best, and they are certainly not alone.

It’s not unusual for teams to take some time to get up to speed, and United are another example of that after some shaky performances to start the season.

Ten Hag’s men put in a hugely underwhelming performance in their opening day win over Wolves, and that was followed by an away defeat to Tottenham. Last weekend, United managed to see off Nottingham Forest, but they had to come from two goals behind as their defensive fragility showed again.

Though, at the other end of the pitch, United have been playing without their star signing, striker Rasmus Hojlund, who has been out with injury following his move from Atalanta on a deal worth around £70million.

But ahead of the clash with Arsenal, Ten Hag has confirmed that Hojlund is ready to start.

“Yes (he’s available). So he had a good training week, so tomorrow we have final training but he’s doing well, he’s responded well. So he will be available for Sunday’s game,” Ten Hag said in his pre-match press conference. “I think he can, he’s ready to start.”

Ten Hag also confirmed that new goalkeeper signing Altay Bayindir is ready to play following his arrival on Friday. The Dutchman added: “He will be in the squad as well, yeah, so happy, now we have to keep the group, again it’s fully there, we’ve covered every position and we have a very good arrival in Altay.

“We followed him, scouted him very intensely, he has the skills to fit in, fit in Manchester United and English football, really clear, we signed him. We are confident he will make a lot of progress in the coming years and he will be a huge contribution to our game.”