Erik ten Hag says he learned his lesson when he was forced to field players who were not fully fit last season. The Manchester United manager has no plans to recall Mason Mount and Rasmus Højlund for Saturday’s game against Crystal Palace as he wants to avoid a repeat of previous injury crises.

Mount started the Community Shield in August and the first two Premier League games before being taken off at half-time in the defeat at Brighton with a thigh injury. Højlund has yet to play due to a thigh injury. Mount missed 30 games last season through injury, his first since joining from Chelsea.

“Careful and first-class football – you always push the limits,” said Ten Hag. “That can’t be avoided, but when you have a full squad available, it’s easier to handle the load. When you’re in a situation like last season and you have to play, we have to overload them.”

“It’s very good news that they’re back on the pitch and back in strength training. We have to decide if they’re fit enough to start, but it’s very pleasing that they’re fit and back in the squad. We have a lot of games in this block, so we’re very happy. We hope we can integrate them very carefully.”

On United’s most recent visit to Selhurst Park in May, Oliver Glasner’s side lost 4-0 on what Ten Hag described as a bleak evening. “We know the circumstances and you can’t compare. We didn’t have a fit squad, we even had one or two players who were maybe 20% fit. But we had to use them. This time it’s very different. We have a fit squad. We definitely have 18 players who are capable of taking on this big challenge for us.”

When asked if there could be another 4-0 defeat, Ten Hag said: “No, definitely not. It was clear. It was 4-0 – absolutely deserved – but Saturday will be different.”