‘I’ve never had my favourite team on the pitch’: Ten Hag defends United tenure | Manchester United

Erik ten Hag doesn’t care how his Manchester United tenure is seen by the skin world, the supervisor blaming the fixed move of accidents on the membership for less than enjoying a full-strength workforce as soon as in 106 matches.

Ten Hag is ready for a second successive FA Cup semi-final on Sunday when United face the Championship facet Coventry at Wembley. United sit seventh within the league with the FA Cup their final likelihood of securing silverware this season and easing the strain on him. The Dutchman led United to the ultimate final season however they lost to Manchester City and he’s aiming to go one higher 12 months later.

“I can’t put any power into whether or not I’m judged pretty or not,” Ten Hag stated when requested if United are criticised extra harshly than different golf equipment. “I do know what we’re doing right here, and I do know why I’m right here – to deliver trophies and in addition to create financial worth. So we’re engaged on that.

“In a course of you’ve gotten setbacks and I can see it realistically. I miss that form of nuance within the feedback however I can’t trouble about it. I can’t get into the feelings of that. I see it rationally and I’m solely specializing in my workforce, to enhance my workforce, to enhance people. That’s the reason I’m right here.”

A higher fear for Ten Hag is the variety of accidents which have occurred throughout his reign. Towards Coventry, United can be with out seven first-team gamers and Harry Maguire is a doubt, however Scott McTominay and Antony are set to return after lacking the draw at Bournemouth.

“I don’t have any concern about what is alleged on the skin,” Ten Hag stated. “What considerations me is that in 18 months I’ve by no means had my favorite workforce on the pitch as soon as, as a result of gamers have been injured – that considerations me. In actual fact there was just one time, in opposition to Metropolis at dwelling final season. That’s the solely time I had a full squad to choose my full workforce.”

Within the beginning lineup in opposition to Metropolis in January 2023, referenced by Ten Hag, have been Tyrell Malacia, who has been injured all season, Anthony Martial, who has not featured since 9 December, plus Luke Shaw and Raphaël Varane, who’re additionally at the moment absent.

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“In all the opposite video games there was an damage side that we’ve got needed to cope with,” Ten Hag added. “That’s regular in soccer, however not as many as we’ve got had. And I do know that once we’ve had so many accidents in essential key positions, you possibly can’t ship the outcomes you wish to deliver. That’s OK, however that’s my reality – others can have completely different truths however I can’t put any power into that.”

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