Erik ten Hag responds to claims his regime has caused Man Utd problems
Erik ten Hag has rubbished suggestions that Manchester United’s injury crisis is being caused by his training regime - and insists his players have been stretched beyond their physical limits by their gruelling schedule.
No team in Europe played more games than United last season, with Ten Hag forced to ask his players to go to the well on 62 occasions in the Dutchman’s first campaign at Old Trafford.
But the Reds are now paying a price. Mason Mount is the latest player to be ruled out after sustaining a calf injury in training - and joins Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen, Tyrell Malacia and Jonny Evans on the sidelines.
Luke Shaw is back after three months for the visit to Everton, but Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are all doubtful. There have been suggestions that Ten Hag’s training methods are too intense. But the United boss has an alternative theory.
Ten Hag said: “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. Every manager is complaining about the schedule and I have heard Thomas Tuchel's statements.
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“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.
“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.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag (Manchester United via Getty Imag)“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.”
United have turned their season around by winning four of their last five Premier League games. But they are faced with three away games in six days that could define the rest of their campaign.
The trip to Everton is followed by a Champions League trip to Galatasaray which must be won if United are to progress to the knock-out stages, with a visit to Newcastle on Saturday evening.
Joe Royle’s Everton were once dubbed the Dogs of War - but Ten Hag believes his players are proving they are up for a scrap. He said: “We have emphasised this in the past couple of games.
“You have to get in to the fight when you don't have a left full-back or when you don't have a right winger and you have to swap your team. Many of the routines are not 100 per cent working but you make sure you get the foundation by getting into the fight.
“Make sure you run harder than your opponent, you cover for each other and you have quick reactions. That gives you a foundation because our players have a lot of skills and abilities.
“Their football is always in there, so once we have our mindset clear and bright and we are in the fight, we will find the moments where we can do brilliant things because our players are capable of doing that.
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“That's why we have won four of five. The last games showed the personality of the team. You saw them stand up and they took responsibility. They fight for the team and organise themselves for the team and that's why they got the results.”
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