[ad_1]
6
Erik ten Hag says several players are doubtful ahead of Saturday’s Community Shield match against Manchester City at Wembley.
Ten Hag was speaking at the pre-match press conference and explained that Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are all “question marks” for the big game.
“Harry Maguire missed the game (vs Liverpool), was a precaution but is still a question mark for Saturday,” he said. “So we have training, we have to see whether he is fit enough or not to be available.
“Victor [Lindelof] played but also he’s a question mark and also Azza [Aaron Wan-Bissaka] and Luke Shaw are both question marks, we have to assess them tomorrow (Friday).
“We think about Licha [Lisandro Martinez] to be involved in the game.”
The manager was also asked about Mason Mount after his excellent performances on the pre-season tour.
“We know he’s a high class player and just bringing skills in,” he said. “Last season, he had a very bad season, a very tough season for him because of all injuries and now we are very pleased he had a good pre-season and I’m sure from this point on he will contribute to the team if he stays fit, it counts for every player.”
Asked about transfers, Ten Hag replied:
“When we have news, we will announce it. You’ve seen the market, it is quite quiet still. We have done business, we have done two deals, it’s about timings, the market, the market options, the right moment and the right things.”
The next question was whether it is in midfield that he wants to strengthen, to which he responded “I don’t go into details, where we are now in recruitment, what we are working on. We know what we are doing, we are in a good position with the squad and just wait, patience and in the right moment we will tell you.”
Asked if he needs to sell players before he can buy more, he said “we did already, we bought already. As I said, we have a squad where in every position there is double occupation.”
The boss was then asked about Jadon Sancho’s best position and how he will employ him this season.
“Jadon can play across the whole frontline, he’s an option for more than one position and it depends how you set up the team, you can look at your own tactics, opponents that fit the best and Jadon had some abilities you can use in a game, tactics and the next game,” he said.
Ten Hag also spoke on Saturday’s match, saying: “So, we always want to win, also in all the friendlies. It’s about trophy, we will put out a team that is very competitive to win this trophy. It’s also pre-season, we don’t go into big risks with players, the normal approach in to this game.”
Ten Hag has also spoken to Dutch media ahead of the big match.
“Joshua Zirkzee is not as fit as the rest of the squad. Last Monday was only his first session with the team,” he said (source Viaplay Netherlands).
Asked if Zirkzee could have minutes against City, he replied “yes, we do believe so. But we will base our decision on the impression he gives us.”
The manager was then asked how much he is pushing for transfer targets Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs De Ligt within the club.
“We need a big squad,” he replied. “The format of European Football is going to change too. We need a group of players that is going to cover all these games.”
Asked again about the two names, he replied “I can’t address specific names. This not a nice towards these players and their club.”
Get paid to write about United! If you are an experienced writer with publishing history and/or have a journalism qualification or background, have English as your first language and you are a genuine United fan, we want to hear from you!
Click here for more details: Write for us.
[ad_2]
