Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand expects Rasmus Hojlund to return to action for Manchester United against Liverpool on Sunday, following conversations with United boss Erik ten Hag.
Hojlund has been out of action for the best part of a month with a muscle issue, missing four club games. He sat out the FA Cup fifth-round victory over Nottingham Forest as well as United's league meetings with Fulham, Manchester City and Everton.
United are due to take on Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the cup on Sunday, in the last game before the March international break. Denmark have a double-header against Switzerland and the Faroe Islands, their final fixtures before Euro 2024 warm-up games in June.
Hjulmand was speaking to the media on Tuesday and was asked about Hojlund's fitness. He said the former Atalanta striker is in contention to link up with the national side, providing he comes through Sunday's game unscathed.
"It is clear that Rasmus will play on Sunday against Liverpool and must get through the game well," Hjulmand said, according to Danish outlet Campo. "We expect that.
World Cup hero wants Man Utd move as doubts over Harry Maguire's future grow"We are in contact with United. I have spoken to Erik [ten Hag], and we expect that to happen. But it is clear that he has to get through the game, and there must be nothing on the other side for that to be possible."
Hojlund's United colleague Christian Eriksen is also in contention to feature on Sunday, though Hjulmand is said to be unhappy with the midfielder's playing time. "As it is right now, not playing more than Christian does is not the best situation. I very much hope that it will change," he said.
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Ten Hag had previously expressed his optimism at having Hojlund available against Liverpool. The striker is one of several players nearing a return, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Mason Mount both pictured back in training.
"Hopefully, some return," the manager said before last weekend's victory over Everton. "Aaron Wan-Bissaka was yesterday, on the pitch. We expect also Harry Maguire back in the squad next week. Rasmus Hojlund has good hope he will make it as well.
"It's clear. It's a great game for us and we are looking forward to that game," Ten Hag added. "But Liverpool will be the same and will also look forward [to it] as, for them, it's also a very important game.
"We will plan it, prepare very well and we have to get ready for the game. It's a huge game and a derby game, which we want to be in."
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