Erik ten Hag, manager of Manchester United, has stated that it could be “weeks” before Lisandro Martnez and Casemiro are available again.

Martinez hasn’t played since September due to a recurrence of a foot ailment suffered in April, while Casemiro has been out for two months with a hamstring issue.

Both have returned to training and were photographed on the grass at Carrington last week, but Ten Hag stated that they are not yet ready to return to action.

“They’ve been back on the grass for a long time, and now they’re back in team training, but not fully, so partial,” Ten Hag said at a press conference.

“Now they have to make the next steps and that may take some days, I think even weeks.”

With Mason Mount, Harry Maguire, and Victor Lindelöf also out, Ten Hag is preparing for Monday’s FA Cup third round clash against Wigan Athletic with a squad similar to the one that lost 2-1 at Nottingham Forest on December 30.

Rasmus Hjlund, who missed the defeat at the City Ground due to sickness, has returned to the United squad.

“He will return,” Ten Hag assured her. “He dropped out shortly before the game [against Forest], so he was a little under the weather.” We anticipated him to play the day before, but he dropped out soon before the game. He is now back in training.”

André Onana will start in goal against Wigan after United agreed with the Cameroon FA to postpone his release until after the Africa Cup of Nations.

United’s choice to keep Onana has raised doubts about Ten Hag’s trust in his No.2, Altay Bayindir, but the Dutchman maintains the summer acquisition from Fenerbahce will have his chance once Onana leaves, which is expected to happen after the Premier League match against Tottenham on January 14.

“At some point, André will go,” Ten Hag predicted. “We are completely satisfied, and we built this group of keepers because we are at ease with it.” We have faith in both of them, and they are both excellent goalkeepers with extensive experience at the highest levels.

“I believe we can have a lot of faith that we have coverage, but not just coverage, but competition among them.” We are certain that if Andre must leave, we will be fine since we are in a good situation and have a solid substitute to fill that gap.”