De Gea has come under fire for his latest blunder in United's defeat at West Ham last weekend, but Ten Hag claims it never crossed his mind to drop the 32-year-old.

'No, I don't give (any) considerations - he will definitely play,' said the United boss on Friday.

De Gea finally looks set to agree a new contract following protracted talks over taking a pay-cut on his £375,000-a-week salary, but Ten Hag played down suggestions that the issue has affected his form.

'Is that a reason? No, I don't think that's a reason because David is so experienced,' he added.

'I can think of a thousand and one reasons, but I don't think that's the reason.

'As a top player, you have such circumstances and you have to accept it, deal with it and the demand is you have to perform.'

Ten Hag blamed a loss of focus for the individual errors by De Gea and Luke Shaw that have led to back-to-back defeats at West Ham and Brighton.

'It shouldn't happen. When you are in the right focus it will not happen, and that is part of the reset of this week,' said Ten Hag who hopes the opportunity to work with his players at Carrington without having a midweek game will pay off against Wolves.

'It's definitely no excuse for such performances, but it's a reason the squad looked fatigued and was fatigued. I could see it.

'But now we've had a week and we needed it to reset, to reload, to recharge.. I've noticed around the training ground that the energy is back.

'We'll give a better physical performance, I'm sure of that.'

Raphael Varane is fit to return to the squad after a month out, but Marcus Rashford is a major doubt with a leg injury.

United's blip has allowed Liverpool to close within one point in the race for a top-four place, having played one more game.

But Ten Hag dismissed the threat posed by Liverpool's six-game winning run, saying: 'Of course we can ignore it. Why not? Because it's not important.

'As long as we have things in our hands, we are in control. We are not dependent of them.

'But, yes, it's a test of courage if we can do it because we are in the right position, and now we have to finish it.'