Erik ten Hag has revealed that Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro are set to return to action against Tottenham on Sunday as he defended his transfer record at Manchester United.

Martinez has not featured since mid-September after having a second operation on a broken metatarsal in his right foot, but Mail Sport revealed earlier this week that the Argentina defender was targeting the Spurs came for his comeback.

Casmeiro has been out of action since the start of November with a serious hamstring injury, but the Brazil star rejoined full training last week with Martinez and will be available for the game at Old Trafford.

‘We have had a lot of injuries, so this week in training, the last couple of days, Licha Martinez was training, Casemiro was training and Luke Shaw was training, so there are players returning, they are coming in for selection for Sunday.

Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez are both set to return for Manchester United this weekend

Ten Hag confirmed they were in line to play Tottenham as he defended his transfer record

‘Eriksen was ill in the week, he will return. Antony will return. Amad will return. We have more choice in this moment in the squad to put out a starting XI and create a bench that is stronger. 

‘Mount will take a little bit longer. Malacia and Lindelof are also on the way back but it takes time to get into match fitness.

‘I’m not sure the word relief. First it has to happen that they are back, but it is positive they are back on the training ground and that they go back to the team and then to 100 per cent match fitness.’

New investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe is due to be at Old Trafford to watch the Spurs game amid scrutiny of the club’s recruitment policy. 

Ten Hag has spent £400million on players since taking over but insists the view of his signings is skewed by the team’s struggles.

Martinez (left) has been out since September while Casemiro (right) hasn’t played since November 

‘Don’t forget last season everyone was saying how great Man Utd’s signings were,’ said Ten Hag. 

‘Martinez, Eriksen and Malacia. Casemiro, brilliant last season. We judge them in the moment.

‘All the signings are top players and we have to find a way to perform as a team and then we will judge them differently. We have to do it together and then all those players will be very good signings.’