This has been a difficult second season for the Dutch coach at Old Trafford, with his team eliminated from Europe and seeing their chance to defend their Carabao Cup title end prematurely.
Man United’s chances of winning the Premier League ended before Christmas and Ten Hag’s side need to build on last week’s resilient 0-0 draw with Liverpool when they travel to West Ham in round 18. This.
The Red Devils are facing the absence of several key players ahead of Saturday’s lunchtime clash, but Ten Hag hopes their injury problem will ease in the coming weeks.
“Now we have some doubts. We’ve had a few cases during the week, so we’ll have to see who’s ready for tomorrow. Hopefully they have recovered but we have to wait and see.” Ten Hag welcomed captain Bruno Fernandes back after suspension but saw Diogo Dalot banned for one match.
“Casemiro and Martinez are not available before Christmas, so we expect them to return in mid-January. Similarly, Mason Mount also returns in January. I expect Harry Maguire to return soon with Victor Lindelof unavailable. He had surgery so he will be out of action for a few weeks. What happened? Victor has some personal problems, but he has to have surgery.”
The return of such players would be a boost for a United side that has been sorely lacking in options in recent weeks and months.
In addition to the above, Amad Diallo and Tyrell Malacia are still unable to participate this season. Christian Eriksen recently returned to training after five weeks out with a knee injury and Anthony Martial missed the trip to Anfield due to illness.
The striker’s absence shows that Man United lack outstanding options going into a transfer window that will certainly see Jadon Sancho leave, having been banished from the first team since September.
Man United have made it known publicly that it will be a quiet January and Ten Hag believes they have enough quality players to start the game in 2024. “I am happy with the current squad. When the players return, I’m sure we have a good squad.
“I think most of the trouble in the first season was because many players were not available. I’m sure when all the players are on board – like I said, Casemiro will return, Martinez will return, Mason Mount will return – we will be much stronger after the winter.”
Man United have gone through a seemingly positive journey but now it’s time for a chaotic Christmas period, starting with David Moyes’ trip to West Ham.
“We have three big games to play this week – really something to look forward to. After West Ham there is a home game with Aston Villa and a trip to Nottingham Forest. This is always an important time for any club in the Premier League but it is certainly extremely important for us right now.”