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6 months ago
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Erik ten Hag under mounting pressure.
A dismal run-in to the end of season has seen Manchester United win only one of their last eight Premier League matches and that was home to Sheffield United, where Man U trailed 1-0 and 2-1 and only won the game with two goals in the final ten minutes.
Erik ten Hag has confirmed on Tuesday that Raphael Varane won’t play against Newcastle United.
Whilst he’s made clear Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Willy Kambwala are doubts, who will all need to be assessed before he decides if they can make the matchday squad on Wednesday.
Man U also have a number of other players expected to miss, including Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof, Anthony Martial, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
Erik ten Hag says he expects Lisandro Martinez to make Wednesday night’s squad but he hasn’t even been on the bench in the Premier League since March and the last PL game he started was three and a half months ago. So if Erik ten Hag did throw him straight back into the starting eleven, it would look very much an act of desperation.
Erik ten Hag on challenging Newcastle United for a European spot:
“It is a very important game.
“You get the ranking, so it is very important to get the win.
“We have to do everything in it to get the win and we have to fight hard for it.”
Erik ten Hag asked if Raphael Varane (who has announced he is leaving Man U as a free agent this summer) will play against Newcastle United and/or either of the other two competitive matches Man U still have left to play:
“We are planning, definitely, for the last games.
“Not tomorrow [against Newcastle United] but we hope for Sunday and then, of course, for the last game [against Man City in the FA Cup final].”
Erik ten Hag asked if he expects Lisandro Martinez to return against Newcastle United, having only managed seven Premier League starts all season and the most recent of those having been three and a half months ago:
“I think he will return.
“He had some sessions and if everything is OK in training he will be involved [against Newcastle United].”
Erik ten Hag asked about reports claiming Bruno Fernandes will leave Man U this summer:
“Now in all the years he was here, he has been a tremendously important player for Manchester United – creating the most chances across the Premier League.
“So many assists, so many goals.
“It’s clear he’s a very important player for us.”
Erik ten Hag asked about the Man U fans at the last two matches / defeats against Palace and Arsenal:
“What they did in the last games.
“At Palace, they were so magnificent, they were brilliant. You say the mood is low, maybe the expectations are lower but I don’t want to say the mood, the vibe they create is lower.
“They back the team at Palace and Sunday against Arsenal.”
Erik ten Hag on Rasmus Hojlund’s first season at the club:
“He has had three injuries this season but still he has scored 14 goals [including eight in 28 Premier League appearances] this season.
“I think that’s a very good record for a young player.
“When we decided to go for him we talked about earlier we buy a player for this season and for the future. He has to develop, he has to progress, he needs time, sometimes it goes up and down.
“Before winter he struggled to get his first Premier League goal, but he is a very strong character. He is very eager for every match so it can be every match to return his form. I am more confident, he’s close.”
Erik ten Hag asked if Man U should have bought another striker last summer:
“So last season, we had Marcus Rashford with 30 goals.
“We add one extra striker to the squad and on financial resources more was not possible.
“So we were quite confident when you are third, in two finals, win one final.
“When you add one striker the transfer policy is right.”

 
