Erik ten Hag bemoans Manchester United injury woes and says he has only been able to select 'favourite team' once
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
ByOli Gent
Updated 21/04/2024 at 08:52 GMT
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has voiced his frustrations about the constant injury problems he has had to endure since he took over at Old Trafford in June 2022. The Dutchman claims that he has "never had my favourite team on the pitch" except once, when he had a full squad for last season's home Manchester derby, which United won 2-1. United face Coventry in the FA Cup semis on Sunday.
Manchester Uniteds Teammanager Erik ten Hag steht in der Kritik
Image credit: Getty Images
Erik ten Hag has claimed that he has only been able to put his "favourite team" out once during his Manchester United tenure.
The Dutchman, who took over the reins at Old Trafford in June 2022, says that sole instance came in last season's Manchester derby at Old Trafford, where United won 2-1 thanks to goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.
Anthony Martial started up front in that game in January 2023, while Tyrell Malacia played at left-back, with Luke Shaw deputising at left centre-back alongside Raphael Varane in the absence of that summer's arrival Lisandro Martinez, signed from Ten Hag's former employers Ajax.
The now-departed Fred played alongside Casemiro in midfield, while David de Gea, let go by United upon the expiration of his contract last summer, was in goal.
Martial, Malacia, and Shaw have missed the majority of this campaign through their respective injury issues, while World Cup winner Varane has struggled to maintain full fitness since his arrival from Real Madrid in 2021.
Speaking to the press ahead of United's FA Cup semi-final with Coventry City on Sunday, Ten Hag said: "I don't have any concern about what is said on the outside.
"What concerns me is that in 18 months, I have never had my favourite team on the pitch once, because players were injured - that concerns me. In fact, there was only one time, against City at home last season. That is the only time I had a full squad to pick my full team.
"In all the other games, there was an injury aspect that we have had to deal with. That's normal in football, but not as many as we have had. I know that when we've had so many injuries in crucial key positions, you can't deliver the results you want to bring. That's OK, but that's my truth - others can have different truths but I can't put any energy into that."
The Red Devils boss, who has seen his side lose 12 times in the league this season and be knocked out in the group stages of the Champions League, brushed off a question as to whether he felt United were criticised more harshly than any other team.
"I can't put any energy into whether I am judged fairly or not," he said.
"I know what we are doing here, and I know why I am here - to bring trophies and also to create economic value. So we are working on that.
"In a process you have setbacks and I can see it realistically. I miss that sort of nuance in the comments but I can't bother about it. I can't get into the emotions of that. I see it rationally and I am only focusing on my team, to improve my team, to improve individuals. That is why I am here."
- - -
TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement