Erik ten Hag confirms major double fitness boost for Liverpool showdown

Shaw missed Wednesday’s FA Cup fifth round victory over West Ham United as a result of a knock picked up last Sunday in the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United.

Sancho also sat out of the 3-1 comeback win over the Hammers through illness.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Sunday’s match on Merseyside, ten Hag offered a positive update on the duo.

‘I think we will have players back but I am not sure,’ ten Hag said.

‘Luke Shaw was not available, so we expect him back. Sancho, yeah he was ill but you have to wait how that develops but yeah I think as well.’

United head into Sunday’s game 10 points clear of their rivals, still hoping to be involved in the title race with Arsenal and Manchester City.

Liverpool meanwhile have given their top four hopes a major boost in recent weeks, winning three of their last four league games having not conceded a goal in that run.

United’s form against top six rivals has vastly improved this season but they still suffered defeats in crunch games away at Manchester City and Arsenal.

A 2-1 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford in September set the tone for United’s turnaround this season and ten Hag believes there is no reason they cannot replicate that performance at Anfield.

‘For me, it’s no different – the pitch is the same size everywhere, there are three referees, there’s a fourth (official), the ball is round, there is air in the ball.

‘So we have to play and to make it our game. Of course we know the ambience will not be supporting us and you have to deal with that. But, as I said, our players, they like it. They like to play in such atmospheres.’

He added: ‘I know these players, my squad, my team, will be prepared to go there and fight and to go there with confidence. We know it’s going to be difficult, we know we will have to suffer and we will have to sacrifice to get a good result.

‘I think our team, our mentality in general is very good. I think we also have many leaders who set the mentality, who set the standards, who control the standards, who correct if necessary. I think we are happy with this process but it can always be better. That has to be the approach.’

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