Erik ten Hag has told his Manchester United stars to toughen up if they want to survive in the Premier League.
Ten Hag has lost countless players to injuries this season, sabotaging his hopes of winning trophies and securing Champions League qualification. The Dutchman has been forced to cope with 50 separate injuries throughout the current campaign.
Even this week Ten Hag lost defenders Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof to muscle strains that will sideline the duo for at least a month. Those currently on the treatment table include Luke Shaw, Martinez, Lindelof, Tyrell Malacia, Anthony Martial and Altay Bayindir.
Ten Hag has been accused of training his squad too hard. But he has rejected the claims, insisting his players need to be super fit to cope with the demands of English football.
He said: "No, we don't train too hard. We need to be fit. With the standards in this league, you need to be fit, otherwise you can't match the standards required of you in a game. We don't train too hard.
"We have good departments, we have good people around with a lot of knowledge. Based on data we make our decisions. You need very robust players. That is the requirement, when you go into Christmas with many injuries and then you have to bring them back.
"But when they are free from injury, they are not match-fit. They're not straight back into the form that also needs a couple of games, before you get back into the rhythm."
Ten Hag wants his players to follow the example of captain Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese international has not missed a game through injury this season, and has played through the pain barrier at times to help the cause.
Ten Hag reckons an overloaded calendar is hot helping the situation and he added: "I think we have more players who are very robust like Bruno is, but that is the type of player you need.
"I know that it still has an effect, the huge amount of games we had in the last 18 months The players get overloaded and can't bring the performances anymore. We're already over the point where we demand what we want from our top players.
"You saw last weekend, Manchester City were playing without Kyle Walker, without John Stones. The levels were dropping without them.
"There was a different team to what we faced. The levels for teams will keep dropping if you keep going in this process, where we are overloading in the international competition.
"We have national teams (international breaks) five times a year - you give the players away and you don’t have any impact. With some national teams, we have a very good connection and we manage the programmes, but there are also others that do what they want."
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. It's the Year of the Bird Shortcut this way bro Conte's demands to stay at Napoli:• Spend at least €200M• Sign 8–9 players• Raise salaries from €80M to €110M• Guarantees on a new training facility Silverware incoming for Real Betis Tag a Manchester United Fan & Say Nothing.. Sad but true.. Please stay t...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today.Liverpool v Crystal Palace next game Tottenham Europa league Champions Winner Arsenal🤝Man City🤝Man Utd 17th-place Spurs took the back door to the Champions League Manchester United's season: Just GOAT Things! "He let Tottenham win a trophy." Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, BleacherReportFootball, originalt...
Manchester United were beaten 1-0 by Tottenham in the Europa League final.The Red Devils, who were heavily relying on the Europa League to save their season, suffered defeat against Ange Postecoglou’s side in Bilbao.This defeat makes matters worse for Ruben Amorim and his players next season.They have failed to qualify for the Champions League next season. Not only that, they are not going t...
Liam Delap has been advised against joining Manchester United this summer, with Jamie Carragher suggesting a better alternative for the striker.The Red are seen as top contenders to sign him, who scored 12 goals for relegated Ipswich in the Premier League this season.The former Liverpool defender believes Delap would be an upgrade on Rasmus Hojlund but says a move to Manchester United is too soon,...
Manchester United have a big summer transfer window ahead.Manchester United chiefs have reportedly staged a face-to-face meeting with Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap ahead of a potential move to Old Trafford. Delap is almost certain to leave Portman Road this summer with Ipswich heading straight back down to the Championship. He has been one of the few bright sparks for the Blues, scoring 12 goals...
Martinez joined Villa from Arsenal in 2020 - following eight years in North London where he was loaned out six times.Emi Martinez is wanted by Manchester United and Barcelona, say reports in ArgentinaAnd he emerged as one of the best keepers in the league, also cementing his place as Argentina No1 before their 2022 World Cup win.But Martinez - whose contract expires in 2029 after extending it in t...
According to Fichajes, they have submitted an offer for £55 million to sign the 25-year-old Cameroon International.He's undoubtedly one of the best attackers in the Premier League, and he has been outstanding for the Bees this season. Arsenal are keen on the player as well.Man United need Bryan MbeumoThe attacker has 28 goal contributions in all competitions and could prove to be an exception...
Juventus have reportedly joined Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United in the race for Victor Osimhen, but the English sides have a massive advantage.Osimhen has a €75 million (£64m/$85m) release clauseHowever, Serie A sides will not be able to trigger itPremier League outfits get a major boostWHAT HAPPENED?Osimhen's future continues to dominate headlines as Juventus became the latest ...
Semedo concerned about Wolves contract talksWolves defender Nelson Semedo is unsure about his future at Molineux.Semedo is off contract at the end of next month and talks over a new deal are yet to result in an agreement.The Express & Star says the fullback is unsure of his future and in the event no deal is struck, he has recorded a farewell message for fans.Wolves are keen for Semedo, 31, to...
Salah lays out Liverpool ambitions after collecting FWA awardLiverpool ace Mohamed Salah says he's as ambitious as ever after winning the Premier League title this season.Salah penned a new deal to 2027 last month, with the Egypt international also collecting the Football Writers' Association Player of the Year award last night."It means a lot to win this award," said Salah, who also was voted by ...
- 1 We will see – no Unai Emery assurances over future of tearful Emiliano Martinez
- 2 Mikel Arteta ready to give his life to deliver silverware for Arsenal
- 3 Man City withdraw and Liverpool could steal
- 4 Chelsea beat Manchester United in FA Cup final to seal domestic treble
- 5 Mikel Arteta apologises for failing to deliver Arsenal a Premier League title
- 6 Liverpool cleared to complete signing
- 7 Marc Guehi to land transfer to Real or Barca
- 8 Real Madrid agree deal for Dean Huijsen
- 9 Dele Alli’s girlfriend Cindy sets pulses racing in barely
- 10 3 EPL giants have advantage in Osimhen race