Erik ten Hag is confident that Man Utd will be stronger when players return from injury.
Erik ten Hag believes Manchester United’s fortunes will improve in the new year as Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, and Mason Mount prepare to return in mid-January.
The Dutchman’s second season as manager at Old Trafford has been difficult, as his team has been eliminated from Europe and their Carabao Cup defence has been cut short.
The Red Devils are coping with a number of issues ahead of the Saturday lunchtime match, but Ten Hag expects their injury woes to lessen in the coming weeks.
“Now we have some doubts,” admitted United boss Jose Mourinho, who welcomes back captain Bruno Fernandes from suspension but has Diogo Dalot serve a one-match suspension.
“We have a few illnesses this week, so we’ll see who is always available for tomorrow.” We’ll have to wait and see if they’ve recovered.
Erik ten Hag is confident that Man Utd will be stronger when players return from injury.
“(Casemiro and Martinez) are not available before Christmas, so we expect them back in mid-January.”
“Mason Mount will be similar in January.” Mr. Harry Maguire I expect him to arrive early, and Victor Lindelof is unavailable. He had surgery and will be out of commission for a few weeks.
“Can you tell me what happened?” He had a difficulty, and it’s (personal), but he needs to have the surgery.”
The upcoming return of such players will be a breath of fresh air for a United team that has been bereft of options in recent weeks and months.
Amad Diallo and Tyrell Malacia, in addition to the aforementioned, are yet to appear this season. Christian Eriksen recently returned to training after missing five weeks due to a knee injury, and Anthony Martial was unable to travel to Anfield due to illness.
The forward’s absence highlighted United’s paucity of attacking alternatives coming into a transfer season in which Jadon Sancho, who has been banned from the first team since September, would almost certainly leave.
United have officially stated that January will be quiet, and Ten Hag feels they have the talent to compete in 2024.
“The current squad I’m happy (with),” he went on to say. “Once we get our players back, I’m confident we’ll have a good squad.”
“I think a lot of the way it went in the first part of the season was because many players were not available.”
“I’m sure when all the players are available on board – it looks like, as I said, Casemiro will be back, Martinez will be back, Mason Mount will be back – we will be much stronger after the winter.”
The mid-term looks promising for United, but the holiday season begins with a trip to David Moyes’ West Ham.
“We have three big games this week – really looking forward to them,” Ten Hag remarked, with a home game against Aston Villa and a trip to Nottingham Forest following the game in east London.
“It’s always a massive period for any club in the Premier League but definitely now for us.”
