Ten Hag believes Man Utd are on the up ahead of Everton trip
Erik ten Hag has poured cold water on suggestions that Manchester United’s unprecedented injury woes this season are due to his training methods. United have suffered relentless non-contact, muscular problems in the opening few months of his second campaign, and he has aimed the blame elsewhere.
Ten Hag won’t be happy with the club’s failure to build on the momentum from his maiden season as manager.
United lifted the Carabao Cup – ending a six-year trophy drought – reached the FA Cup final and finished third in the Premier League last term, sealing a return to the Champions League.
But Ten Hag has watched his side lose nine of their opening 18 games this season, leaving them eighth in the Premier League, out of the Carabao Cup and on the brink of a Champions League group-stage exit.
He has unsurprisingly been the subject of intense pressure due to United’s failings on the pitch. However, he has once again had to deal with an onslaught of adversity, much of which is out of his control.
One of his many issues in recent months has been injuries. Over 20 incidents of absences through injury or illness have occurred this season. When one player returns, another is ruled out.
Many United supporters have put their fitness misfortune down to a curse of some sort. But other, more sceptical on-lookers believe something can’t be right on the training pitch, leaving United sceptical of injuries.
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However, United played 62 games last season as they fought on all fronts, more than any other team in Europe.
And Ten Hag has instead cited the club’s intense schedule as a significant factor, aiming a subtle dig at the decision-makers contributing to every club’s ever-increasing workload.
“Last year, we played the most games across Europe. Last year was also a weird year, with a World Cup in the middle of the season,” Ten Hag explained.
“Every manager is complaining about the schedule, and I have heard Thomas Tuchel’s statements. But each year, they keep adding games to the schedule.
“Next year, they will add two more games, and we’ve already achieved the limits and even gone across the limits that players can handle.
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“In the first 12 Premier League games, the physical standards have been even higher in comparison to last year. You have choices to make. Either you match it by training and preparation – or you drop off.
“That is a decision that every club has to make, every team has to make, and every individual has to make. You have to do it smart. Every team knows you have to suffer and sacrifice.
“If you want to prepare for games, then, at certain right moments, you have to go to certain physical levels. If you want to match those standards – and those standards are not set by us but by the opposition.”
Mason Mount is the latest player to be sidelined, having already spent a spell injured during a disastrous start to his United career after leaving Chelsea in a £60million deal.
He joins Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen on the injury table. But Luke Shaw is set to return against Everton on Sunday after three months out.
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