Manchester United are looking to put behind last season’s 4-0 thrashing at Crystal Palace, having improved in terms of squad depth this season, manager Erik ten Hag said on Thursday.

Following a 3-0 home loss to Liverpool earlier this month, United triumphed over Southampton 3-0 in the league and routed Barnsley 7-0 in the League Cup and are set for an English Premier League trip to Selhurst Park on Saturday.

After a season plagued by injuries that limited Ten Hag’s options in both attack and defence, United have bolstered their squad with new signings, including defender Matthijs de Ligt, midfielder Manuel Ugarte, and forward Joshua Zirkzee.

“The 4-0 (in May) was totally deserved, but Saturday will be different. I don’t compare (situations) but from February on, every time, we had to find 11 players who can construct a team. Now we have 18 players and we can pick a team (comfortably),” Ten Hag told reporters on Thursday.

Victor Lindelof, Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro remain sidelined but United have been boosted with the return of midfielder Mason Mount and striker Rasmus Hojlund from injury.

“We have so many games in this block to cover, so yeah, very happy. It’s a good news,” the Dutch manager added.

“They are back on the pitch, in training, we have to decide tomorrow (Saturday) whether they are fit enough to start. But I think it’s very pleasing they are back with the squad.

“When you have a full squad available then it’s easier to manage the load when you are in circumstances like last season and there is a need to play, we have to overload them. We hope we can integrate them in a very careful way.”

Onus on players

The push for a more favourable match schedule must come from the players, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday, three days after his midfielder Rodri warned that players could be close to strike action over their increased workload.

Guardiola’s comments on Friday came ahead of his side’s clash with Arsenal on Sunday and amid a tough stretch of seven games in three weeks for the reigning champions.

“Many, many voices are talking about it,” Guardiola told reporters.

“If something is going to change, it must come from the players. The business can be without managers, without sporting directors, without media, without owners, but without the players — cannot be played.

“It is not just Rodri (speaking out), it is many, many players, and not just in this country, but around the world people are starting to talk, so we will see.”

Guardiola was non-committal about whether Kevin de Bruyne will play on Sunday after his captain limped off at half-time of their 0-0 draw with Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday.

“He feels a bit better today (Friday). Tomorrow (Saturday) we’re training and we’ll see. He could be (involved),” the manager said.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson is doubtful for their clash with Bournemouth on Saturday due to a muscle injury, manager Arne Slot said on Friday.

“Alisson is still a doubt, so let’s wait,” Slot told reporters.