Erik ten Hag believes his Manchester United team have reached a “turning point” as they head into a crucial week of fixtures.

The Dutchman’s future at Old Trafford was under immense scrutiny at the start of the month, with United’s record of eight defeats in their first 15 matches in all competitions amounting to their worst start to a season since 1962.

United won their two Premier League fixtures prior to the international break – away to Fulham and at home to Luton – to ease the pressure and leave them with a record of four wins from their last five league matches.

They resume after the break with three away days in hostile atmospheres – first at Everton on Sunday against a team fuelled by a sense of injustice following the imposition of a 10-point penalty for breaching Premier League financial rules, followed by a visit to Istanbul to take on Galatasaray on Wednesday before a trip to St James’ Park to face Newcastle.

But Ten Hag insists morale is good among his players heading into a hectic period of matches which could define United’s season.

“We have seen a turning point,” the former Ajax boss said.

“Now we have to build on. We go into a massive month and we are really looking forward with confidence.

“There are no easy games for anyone – everyone will drop points. But the last five games we won four and that gives us confidence going into the next games.”

On the tests of character about to face his side, Ten Hag added: “We play three games in six days and as a group we have to deal with that.

“We have a plan, we have studied for it. We made the players aware that they have to take responsibility, but especially it’s about co-operation.”

United are boosted by the return of England international Luke Shaw from a thigh muscle injury which has sidelined him since August.

Goalkeeper Andre Onana has overcome a knock suffered on international duty with Cameroon, but a late call will be taken on whether Rasmus Hojlund can feature.

The Dane suffered a muscle strain in the second half of the win over Luton just before the November international break.

Hojlund’s international team-mate Christian Eriksen will not be available due to a knee injury, while central defender Jonny Evans is not ready to return yet from a thigh problem.

Rasmus Hojlund has not been ruled out of Manchester United’s Premier League game at Everton on Sunday, but Christian Eriksen will play no part.

United boss Erik ten Hag has issued an injury update on the Denmark pair, who missed out for their country during the international break.

Hojlund (muscle strain) and Eriksen (knee) both sustained injuries in United’s previous top-flight fixture, a 1-0 home win against Luton on November 11.

Ten Hag told United’s official website: “Christian will take a little bit longer. It will take some weeks until he will return.

“Rasmus Hojlund, not too bad. Everton will be a close finish, but we’re working on that.

“We’re not sure if he can make that but, hopefully, in the next week, he will return to the squad.”

Both players were withdrawn in the closing stages against Luton. United initially confirmed Eriksen would be out for a month, while Hojlund was hoping to return before the end of November.

Should Hojlund fail a fitness test before Sunday’s game at Everton, he could make a timely return to action in next Tuesday’s Champions’ League fixture against Galatasaray in Istanbul.

Fellow forward Marcus Rashford will miss that must-win group game through suspension following his red card in the recent defeat in Copenhagen.

United have confirmed that Ten Hag will serve a touchline ban at Everton this weekend having accumulated three yellow cards.

Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has returned to training after a long stint out with a muscle injury.

The left-back sustained the problem in August, making only two appearances this season, but is back in full training ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Everton.

Shaw’s absence has created a problem at left-back as Tyrell Malacia has also been injured, with United signing Tottenham defender Sergio Reguilon on loan while also using Sofyan Amrabat, Diogo Dalot and Victor Lindelof as cover.

The England international was a key part of United’s success last season and he has been missed as Erik ten Hag’s side have endured an erratic start to the campaign.

They are on the verge of Champions League elimination and have lost five of their first 12 Premier League games, sitting in sixth position.

United’s injury situation is still not great, though, ahead of the trip to Goodison Park.

Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund were added to a lengthy injury list before the international break, with goalkeeper Andre Onana picking up a problem while away with Cameroon.

Christian Eriksen says kneejerk reactions come with the territory of playing for Manchester United as he laughed off the focus on their sluggish start to the season.

Having finished third in the Premier League, won the Carabao Cup and reached the FA Cup final last term, there is intrigue and increased expectations around Erik ten Hag’s second season.

United were fortunate to kick off their campaign with a 1-0 win against Wolves – a poor performance compounded by last weekend’s alarming drop-off after a fine start in the 2-0 defeat at Tottenham.

Saturday was shaping up to be an even more chastening day after Taiwo Awoniyi and Willy Boly put Forest two up within four minutes of kick-off at a stunned Old Trafford.

But United roared back through Eriksen, Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes to secure a 3-2 comeback victory against 10-man Forest, avoiding an intense week of scrutiny ahead of the trip to Arsenal.

Asked how important it was to win given a lot of people have had things to say about United’s start, goalscorer Eriksen said with a smile: “Yeah, this week. Maybe next week they’ll say something else and then the week after they’ll change their mind again.

“It’s how football goes and definitely here.

“I think everybody knows that if you lose one game everything is changed, everything is the worst thing that can happen.

“And if you win, it’s ‘oh, it’s normal’, so, yeah, it’s just how it is at this club and we expect that as players.

“Obviously we try to do our best to win every game, none of us like losing and we try to do it in the best possible way.”

Eriksen, unsurprisingly given his career and experiences, cares little for the background noise surrounding United, but the expectation at the club can weigh heavily on some.

Denmark team-mate Rasmus Hojlund is among those that will be under the spotlight this season having been brought in to solve their number nine issue.

Signed for a £64million fee that could rise to £72million, the talented 20-year-old striker has yet to make his debut due to a back complaint but could feature for the first time at Arsenal.

“He’s a guy who holds his ground,” Eriksen told club media. “He doesn’t back down from anything.

“He’s really a front-foot guy, who is aggressive and really attack-minded.

“But, at the same time, a nice guy outside of football.

“I will definitely (pass on my experience of English football) but he will definitely see it for himself, that the Premier League is different compared to any other league he’s been at before.

“So, he’s going to have to adapt, but I’m sure he will adapt quickly.”

Hojlund is highly unlikely to be United’s final arrival before Friday’s transfer deadline, just as Forest are expected to be active before the window closes.

There will also be talk about departures, with homegrown Wales international Brennan Johnson subject of interest from Chelsea, Tottenham and Brentford.

“Brennan’s, for me, a top young player,” manager Steve Cooper said. “He had some great moments in the first half, showed his real quality on a big stage and there’s naturally going to be talk and interest, speculation, whatever it may be.

“My focus is just on him day to day and helping him get ready for the next game, try to get the best out of him in training and the analysis side.

“Until I get told something will be different with any of the players, that is what we will do, so it’s not something I’ve really thought about, to be honest.”

Christian Eriksen was pleased by the way Manchester United dealt with the “extra pressure” and bounced back from the back-to-back defeats that jeopardised their top-four ambitions.

This has been a promising first season under Erik ten Hag, who has won the Carabao Cup and taken the Red Devils to June’s FA Cup final against Manchester City.

United have also improved markedly on last year’s Premier League performances and have long looked set to secure a return to Champions League football.

Back-to-back defeats at Brighton and West Ham allowed Liverpool to close the gap, but Ten Hag’s men got back to winning ways by triumphing 2-0 against Wolves on Saturday afternoon.

“Of course, when you lose two games the extra pressure is on,” midfielder Eriksen said.

“But we have shown the character and the quality to be where we are.

“We’re just going to focus on us. For us, it has to be three wins in the last three games.”

United travel to Bournemouth next weekend, before finishing the league campaign with home matches against Chelsea and Fulham.

Ten Hag’s men have won 25 matches at Old Trafford in all competitions and could match the club record 27 home triumphs in a single campaign.

“It’s definitely something that we need to first of all finish the season strong with a perfect home record,” Eriksen told MUTV.

“But, in the end, of course, for next season we need to be as good at home, but also away and then it’s going to be a fun season.

“We know where we can pick up extra points because at home at the moment we’re feeling very, very secure.”

United never looked in danger against Wolves, with Anthony Martial finally opening the scoring from a smart Antony pass.

It looked to be the winning goal until Alejandro Garnacho struck in stoppage time as the substitute returned from a two-month injury lay-off with a bang.

“It’s very good (to have him back),” Eriksen said of the teenager.

“You can see the quality he will bring back and the confidence of how he’s playing.

“I’m pleased for him. To be out for a while and then come back and score, it’s the perfect return.”

Wolves failed to muster a shot on target at Old Trafford and are now looking to end the season on a high as Julen Lopetegui’s men round things off at home to Everton and at Arsenal.

Skipper Ruben Neves said: “We’re going game by game. We want to have as many points as we can in the Premier League. That’s our main goal.

“We’re playing at Old Trafford which is big motivation.

“It doesn’t matter the table, it doesn’t matter the points and just playing here is fantastic for us as players, it’s a dream to play in these kinds of pitches, so we just want to get as many points as we can until the end of the season.

“We have two games to go and next week is our last game at home so we will do everything to get the three points with the atmosphere being fantastic at home.

“Our fans in here today were fantastic again, so we will try to get as many points as we can for them as well.”

Erik ten Hag criticised Manchester United's "passion, desire and willingness" following their Europa League quarter-final exit at the hands of Sevilla.

United, who scored two late own goals in last week's first leg to leave the tie all square at 2-2, produced another desperate defensive display as they went down 5-2 on aggregate at Roman Sanchez Pizjuan.

Once again, Ten Hag's side gifted Sevilla two goals with Youssef En-Nesyri helping himself to a brace after errors from Harry Maguire and David de Gea.

United were without several key players, including the suspended Bruno Fernandes and the injured Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, but Ten Hag insisted that was no excuse for the visitors' display.

"We have to do better, that's the demand. We were not composed, not calm," he told BT Sport. "We didn't beat the press; when you do, there are so many spaces behind, and it was obvious at the start how to do it.

"We lost the battles, they had more passion, more desire, more willingness. That's difficult to win games.

"It's about the players on the pitch. They have to perform, I believe in them and trust them, but they have to show it, and they were not good enough.

"We have shown on so many occasions good things, but tonight we weren't ready for the game. At this level, playing for Manchester United, you have to be ready for every game.

"This was a great opportunity, a great occasion, to win something, and we gave it away – we have to blame ourselves.

"It's gone, we can't change it. We have to look forward to Sunday [against Brighton and Hove Albion in the FA Cup semi-finals], that's the next opportunity."

Christian Eriksen also accepted United were not at the races as they squandered the opportunity to return to the semi-finals for the third time in four seasons.

"A lot of things happened. We didn't really give them a game from the first minute, and we gave them a lot of opportunities to finish us off," the midfielder said.

"We lost a bit of our coolness, we made more mistakes than we usually do, and the whole team could not catch up with mistakes our team-mates made.

"If you give away goals like we did, you lose, it's nothing to do with the atmosphere. Our own game was not strong enough. It's football, sometimes you have good days, sometimes you have bad days, and it was a bad day. 

"Every football player makes mistakes, they punished us straight away. It's how we bounce back, and today we were not strong enough to bounce back from the mistakes."

Christian Eriksen expects Manchester United can battle all the way through the rest of a busy season following his full return from injury.

The Denmark international made his first start since January during Sunday's 2-0 win in the Premier League over Nottingham Forest.

After minutes off the bench against Everton and Sevilla, Eriksen is back to help United contend for further silverware in the FA Cup and Europa League.

But he says it is imperative Erik ten Hag's side do not neglect the league, as they aim to secure Champions League football for next season.

"Every game now until the end is going to be very important," he told MUTV. "Someone is going to drop down, [and] someone's going to go in front.

"So if we stay on the front foot like we are now, we're going to be in a very good position and be safe for the Champions League before the season is done."

A post-EFL Cup wobble looks to be behind United, though they conceded twice late on against Sevilla in Thursday's Europa League quarter-final first leg.

Victory over Forest, particularly with several key stars on the sidelines, emphasised what Eriksen feels to be a strong squad ethos over recent months.

"They've impressed me," he added. "They've kept the intensity, they've kept the level for how they play. The games, everything, even from the outside, has been looking good.

"If you take into account how we started [the season], it's a completely different feeling around the club and also on the pitch. The feeling around the boys is really good."

Harry Maguire and Tyrell Malacia put through their own goal late on as Manchester United squandered a comfortable lead in a 2-2 draw against Sevilla in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie.

Captain Maguire deflected into his own net in the 92nd minute, just eight minutes after Malacia had turned past David de Gea as Sevilla somehow found a way back at Old Trafford in the quarter-final first leg.

A Marcel Sabitzer first-half double appeared to have Erik ten Hag's hosts in complete control, only for the late drama to leave United reeling by full-time.

Jose Luis Mendilibar's side will boast home advantage in a week's time as they eye a seventh Europa League title since the 2006-07 season.

Jadon Sancho fired past Sevilla keeper Bono with less than 30 seconds on the clock, only to be curtailed by a late offside flag.

A smart Bono stop denied Antony soon after, though the goalkeeper could do little two minutes later as Bruno Fernandes found Sabitzer, whose strike deflected into the top-left corner.

Sabitzer added his second just six minutes later after latching onto Anthony Martial's throughball and drilling past Bono.

De Gea kept United's lead intact at the interval after producing an expert save against a Tanguy Nianzou header from Ivan Rakitic's corner.

Antony twice went close after the break, whipping a curling effort wide before seeing a similar attempt smash off Bono's right post.

Christian Eriksen's 62nd-minute introduction after three months out injured came as United seemed set for victory, only for Malacia to offer Sevilla hope when turning Jesus Navas' low cross into his own net.

Sevilla then seized an unlikely comeback in the closing stages as Youssef En-Nesyri's header fortuitously deflected off Maguire and wrongfooted De Gea.

What does it mean? Sevilla record plays Devil in United's mind

United defeated Real Sociedad in the group stages and edged past LaLiga leaders Barcelona in the first knockout round before comfortably dispatching Real Betis in the last 16.

Their impressive run against Spanish sides appeared all but certain to continue until the late drama, as Sevilla maintained their streak of never losing against United, with this their third European meeting.

With that record in the back of United's minds at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium, Ten Hag will have to find a way past Mendilibar's side, who will be buoyed with confidence following their late fightback.

Fantastic Fernandes withdrawn

Fernandes has 60 goals and 50 assists since his United debut in February 2020, with Lionel Messi (80G, 59A) the only other player in Europe's top-five leagues to hit half-centuries for both those returns in that period.

Yet Ten Hag opted to withdraw the midfielder for Eriksen, a decision that proved costly and United's misery will be compounded as Fernandes will miss the second leg due to his first-half caution.

United gift Sevilla chance

United could have extended their lead multiple times in the second half, boosting hopes of a treble after winning the EFL Cup and reaching the FA Cup semi-finals.

But after United became just the second English side to score two own goals in a single match in a major European competition, after Chelsea against Ten Hag's Ajax in November 2019, Sevilla will fancy their chances.

What's next?

Before the return leg in Spain, United visit Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday, when Sevilla travel to Valencia in LaLiga.

Harry Maguire and Tyrell Malacia put through their own goal late on as Manchester United squandered a comfortable lead in a 2-2 draw against Sevilla in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie.

Captain Maguire deflected into his own net in the 92nd minute, just eight minutes after Malacia had turned past David de Gea as Sevilla somehow found a way back at Old Trafford in the quarter-final first leg.

A Marcel Sabitzer first-half double appeared to have Erik ten Hag's hosts in complete control, only for the late drama to leave United reeling by full-time.

Jose Luis Mendilibar's side will boast home advantage in a week's time as they eye a seventh Europa League title since the 2006-07 season.

Manchester United are at their best when Anthony Martial is in the team, according to manager Erik ten Hag.

Martial's career at Old Trafford since signing from Monaco in 2015 has been plagued by injuries, with the forward loaned out to Sevilla for the second half of last season where he scored just once in 12 appearances.

A strong pre-season meant this campaign started with optimism, though he has again been in and out of the line-up because of his fitness with Marcus Rashford's goals proving crucial in his absence.

With Rashford ruled out for several games with a muscle injury and January loan signing Wout Weghorst struggling in front of goal, Ten Hag needs Martial to start firing if United are to add more silverware to the EFL Cup they lifted in February, which ended a six-year trophy drought.

Ten Hag is confident the 27-year-old will be a big help over the rest of the season, though he will not rush the forward back to the team before he is ready despite him scoring off the bench in the 2-0 victory over Everton at the weekend.

"We don't have to force things," Ten Hag told reporters. "We are careful. The front line against Everton worked really well.

"When he [Martial] is in the team, we play our best football and we have our best results as a team. The time he needs for a goal is less. I defend him because I point to the stats and see how he contributes."

Martial's first start since January could come against his former side Sevilla in the Europa League on Thursday as United meet the six-time winners in the first leg of their quarter-final clash at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag believes Martial is ready to play from the off for the first time since returning from a hip injury, saying: "I think he is ready to start.

"But the front line did very well against Brentford and we picked the same against Everton. The advantage was we could bring Martial back slowly, giving him minutes, but I think already against Everton he was ready to start the game."

United could also be boosted by Christian Eriksen being available for the starting XI for the first time in over three months, after his strong start with the Red Devils was hampered by an ankle injury suffered against Reading in the FA Cup fourth round back in January.

Ten Hag believes the Denmark international's return will improve United's midfield, explaining: "I think the balance in the midfield was good with Casemiro, Eriksen and Bruno [Fernandes].

"Casemiro is the balance player, Eriksen can support him but also go to the final part of the game, can create chances with key passes.

"So yeah, a really important player and I think he had seven or eight assists in the league, which tells the story."

Christian Eriksen will return to Manchester United's matchday squad for Saturday's clash with Everton after over two months out.

The Denmark international suffered an ankle injury in an FA Cup win over Reading on January 28 after being on the receiving end of a crude challenge by Andy Carroll.

Manager Erik ten Hag was not shy in voicing his displeasure with Carroll's tackle over the following days, with it then emerging Eriksen was facing up to three months out.

That was a major disappointment for United given how quickly the Dane had established himself as a key player at Old Trafford.

But Eriksen's rehabilitation has gone well and he is in contention to play a part against visitors Everton on Saturday, meaning he will have missed a little over two months rather than being ruled out until May, as was feared.

The good news of Eriksen's return was tempered by the blow of losing Luke Shaw after he was substituted early against Brentford on Wednesday, but the midfielder was the chief focus in Ten Hag's pre-match press conference.

Asked for a squad fitness update, Ten Hag said: "Luke Shaw is not available for [Everton], and we have to see how it progresses in the coming week.

"The good news is Christian Eriksen is back in training and he will be back tomorrow in the squad."

Although United have since won the EFL Cup, progressed to the quarter-finals of the Europa League and remain firmly in the hunt for a top-four spot, their form over the past two months has been patchy.

United's win rate with Eriksen this season is 63.2 per cent, compared to 44.4 per cent without him.

Other factors have come into play with respect to United's recent inconsistency, with Casemiro also missing a significant amount of football due to multiple suspensions.

But the importance of Eriksen's timely return at a decisive moment in the season was not lost on Ten Hag.

"I think it was not for nothing," he said. "I was so angry about that tackle and he was away – at first we feared we had lost him for the whole season, but he worked very well.

"I think the medical department did really well and in togetherness he is already returning to the squad and so is available for the final stages of the season. We are very pleased with that.

"From the first [point] it was a really bad tackle and it was also a really bad injury, but he is a little bit ahead of the schedule so we are very happy with [that]."

Christian Eriksen could make his first Manchester United appearance since January when the Red Devils host Everton on Saturday, Erik ten Hag has revealed.

Eriksen has not played since an FA Cup win over Reading in late January, having sustained an ankle injury during that game.

United initially handled the midfielder's absence well as they lifted the EFL Cup in February, though Ten Hag's men endured a three-game winless run in the Premier League prior to Wednesday's 1-0 victory over Brentford.

Asked whether Eriksen could return to the matchday squad against Everton after that win, Ten Hag told Viaplay in Denmark: "We will see. We see it from day to day.

"He is progressing. He is only back in team training this week. We have two sessions. After that, we will decide if he is back in the squad again."

United have won 63.2 per cent of the Premier League games in which Eriksen has appeared this season (12 of 19), compared to 44.4 per cent of those he has missed (four of nine).

The Red Devils have relied on a midfield pairing of Eriksen and Casemiro for much of this campaign, and the Brazilian will serve the final game of his four-match domestic ban against the Toffees.

While Ten Hag is excited by the duo's return, he believes United's other midfielders have stepped up in their absence, adding: "They're two very important players for us, don't get me wrong, but we have a good squad. 

"[Against Brentford] there was brilliant midfield occupation with Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes. Marcel Sabitzer, in his role, was very good. 

"I can't say this midfield trio was bad, not at all. It was very good."

Christian Eriksen returns to full training with Manchester United on Tuesday, manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed.

The Denmark international has been sidelined since January with an ankle injury but remains hopeful of featuring before the end of the season.

While Eriksen will not be available to feature against his former side, Brentford, on Wednesday, a return could be right around the corner.

"He's not ready for tomorrow but he's returning to the pitch and into team training today, so we now have to see how quickly he can make progress," Ten Hag said at a press conference.

Eriksen's continued absence in midfield is further complicated by Casemiro's suspension. He was issued a four-match suspension following his red card in the goalless draw against Southampton and remains absent for the midweek clash, as well as Saturday's meeting with Everton.

Ten Hag accepts that losing two players of such a high calibre has an impact on the side but called on his squad to step up, expressing a necessity to win.

"They are two quality players. In the midfield department, games will be decided. When you miss two quality players, it's a clear [impact], but you have a squad and, when you don't have them, you still have to win," he added.

After winning the EFL Cup in February, United have hit a poor run of form in the Premier League with a 7-0 drubbing at the hands of Liverpool and 2-0 loss at Newcastle either side of the aforementioned draw with Saints, dropping to fifth after Tottenham's Monday draw with Everton.

United are tied on points with Newcastle and Spurs, though hold two games in hand over the latter, but the club's struggles in the league since ending their trophy drought at Wembley are a cause for concern.

Ten Hag sees things differently, however, highlighting the FA Cup quarter-final win over Fulham as evidence that there are no issues in securing results against Premier League opponents.

"We played 60 minutes against Southampton with 10 men, we beat Fulham, that's a Premier League opponent, we beat Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, a Premier League opponent, so there's no concern - we know we can beat Premier League teams," he concluded.

Christian Eriksen is set to step up his recovery from injury as he attempts to at least play some role in Manchester United sealing a potential treble.

The Manchester United midfielder suffered an ankle injury during the FA Cup victory over Reading in January, sparking fears that it would result in a premature end to his maiden campaign at Old Trafford.

However, the Denmark international is optimistic that he can return before United's season – which could result in further honours in the FA Cup and Europa League following their EFL Cup triumph – comes to a close

"Yeah, it is going well. I have just started being outside as you saw [on Instagram] with football boots on," he told the club website.

"And then we take it from there, that is the next step. I have been in the gym for some weeks now and now it is time to do the next rehab session outside."

"I think earlier in my career I would have taken it a lot harder than I do now.

"You learn later on that it's just part of your career. Sometimes you are lucky, sometimes you are not.

"With this one particularly, when I can't do anything myself, when somebody came on to me, the mindset is just getting back as soon as possible in a healthy, strong way and not to get any setbacks."

Christian Eriksen is set to return from a long-term ankle injury next month, according to Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.

Eriksen sustained the injury after being on the wrong end of a hefty Andy Carroll tackle during United's 3-1 EFL Cup win over Reading on January 28.

The Denmark international had been expected to miss the bulk of the majority of the season, with initial hopes for an April or May return.

Ten Hag offered a positive update on the former Tottenham and Inter playmaker, who had been a central figure in their revival in the first half of the season.

"Yes, some point in April, he will be back," Ten Hag said. "He is doing really well, really good in his rehab.

"The progress is very good and we have to see how that develops in the coming weeks."

United have a busy upcoming fixture given their commitments across the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League, with nine games scheduled for April.

The Red Devils are currently third in the league in the race to clinch Champions League qualification, holding a three-point lead on fifth-placed Newcastle United.

The 31-year-old had made 29 appearances in all competitions this term for United, netting two goals with nine assists, including seven in the Premier League.

Despite not playing since January, Eriksen is still equal third with Mohamed Salah and Leandro Trossard for most league assists this term, behind Kevin De Bruyne (12) and Bukayo Saka (nine).

Bruno Fernandes (six) has the second-most Premier League assists this term for United, with Casemiro and Marcus Rashford both providing three.