Erik ten Hag insists Manchester United energised by pursuit of more trophies

Erik ten Hag has acknowledged Manchester United nonetheless being in competition to win the Premier League, FA Cup, and Europa League will energise his aspect regardless of this which means a most of 25 extra matches.

After United claimed the Carabao Cup on Sunday, they’ve West Ham’s go to on Wednesday within the FA Cup, earlier than travelling to Liverpool for Sunday’s league fixture and host Actual Betis in Thursday-week’s Europa League last-16 opening leg. Ten Hag pointed to when he was Ajax coach relating to why a packed schedule can encourage his group.

“In my expertise in Ajax, after we dropped out of Europe the degrees went down and if you end up in it provides power,” stated the supervisor. “Till now, we’ve managed it fairly effectively and I feel we will do it additionally till the top of the season. Besides Anthony Martial, the supply from all of the gamers is there.

“First mentally, they’re actually formidable; that’s one factor and that provides power. Second, we’ve the kind of gamers who can deal with the load, the bodily load.” Taking part in the utmost 65 matches obtainable to them this season can be one behind the membership document set in 2008-09.

Ten Hag additionally has no fears that complacency will happen after the Carabao Cup triumph. “The gamers need to take duty for that first – they need to take duty for his or her efficiency,” he stated. “However I can’t see that [a drop in levels]. It’s a trophy however it’s not the top of the season. What I’ve heard round me [since] and once I see the feedback, once I see the battle within the dressing room, it’s not like we’re happy with this. We need to do higher. That’s fairly clear. So it’s inspiring and it’s not the top – positively not.”

After Sunday’s win Fred and Wout Weghorst targeted a quadruple. “That’s for followers,” Ten Hag stated. “We now have to give attention to the subsequent sport and that’s the solely factor we’re doing. We don’t have to speak about trophies. We now have to speak about West Ham.”

Fred and Luke Shaw are harm doubts for the FA Cup tie whereas Ten Hag is uncertain when Martial will get well from his hip harm. Of the timescale for the French ahead’s return, the supervisor stated: “I hope [before March’s international break] however I don’t give an expectation about that. Let him do his work. A number of instances now [he returns] then drops again too shortly. Give him the time. After all I hope he’s on board however at this second we’re doing very well with this setup. When he’s obtainable then we’ve an additional choice and a great choice.”