Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag expects to have several key players back from injury for their FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool on Sunday, with Rasmus Hojlund, Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka all training this week.

“They returned on the pitch. Partly in the start of the week and we had a session that they were all training,” Ten Hag said. “I think (they will be available). We have to see how they recover from this, but it looks good.”

Hojlund scored in six successive games across all competitions, with eight goals in his last eight games, before a muscle injury sidelined him for four games, including United’s 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup fifth round.

United are languishing in sixth in the Premier League and face a red-hot Liverpool side who are level on points at the top of the table with Arsenal, although they trail the Gunners on goal difference.

Facing their North West rivals adds some spice to the match at Old Trafford.

“Some games are bigger than others, I think Manchester United against Liverpool is always a big game. I am looking forward to it,” Ten Hag said. “The fans see it as a very big game and they are very eager for us to win ... our fans have to be loud.”

The FA Cup is the only silverware United remain in the hunt for amid a tough season for Ten Hag’s side. They lost to Manchester City in last year’s final at Wembley.

Meanwhile, Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer has stood out from his teammates with his ability to deal with the pressures that come with playing for the London club, manager Mauricio Pochettino said ahead of Sunday’s clash with Leicester City.

Palmer, 21, has brought a few bright spots in Chelsea’s dismal season, with the
England international scoring 13 goals and registeri
ng 11 assists for Chelsea in all competitions.

Coventry win

Coventry City stunned Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-2 with two injury-time goals on Saturday as the Championship side reached the semi-finals for only the second time.