Man Utd boss Ten Hag admits ‘frustration’ with medical staff after they assured him two stars would be fit in January

ERIK TEN HAG has revealed his huge "frustration" with Manchester United's medical staff after being given assurances over two injured stars.

The Old Trafford boss says he was told in December that crocked left-backs Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw would be able to return the following month.

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United are 11 points adrift of the Premier League top four ahead of Saturday's home game with lowly Everton.

And Ten Hag has faced a defensive headache all season, despite Harry Maguire regaining his regular spot at centre-back with solid form.

Malacia's situation tops his list of fitness worries.

The Dutchman, 24, could end up sitting out the whole season with a bad knee.

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Meanwhile, England star Shaw DID return in January - at Newport in the FA Cup.

But he then limped off injured away to Aston Villa on February 11 and again the following week at Luton.

Ten Hag admitted the left-back saga has turned into a nightmare.

He said: “In December, I had the talks internally with the medical and performance [staff]. They assured me they (Shaw and Malacia) will both be fit in January and so you will have two left full-backs.

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"We talk about one of my biggest frustrations, there.

"You can accept in a position that a player is not available but when two players are not available over the course of the season that is very frustrating. 

"Because that is also very difficult to catch up as a team but we dealt with it in the best way."

He added: "I think it's going to be difficult for him (Malacia) this season to be available. 

"He will fight, he's back on the pitch, but not in the team and the process had some setbacks for him and he's still going forwards really slowly and the season is coming to an end."