Man Utd is unbeaten since the beginning of 2024, including four wins, to return to the top 6 of the Premier League. Ten Hag’s team is still eight points behind Aston Villa’s fourth place, when the two teams will clash in round 24.
“Since the beginning of January, I have told the players that from now on, every match is a final,” the Dutch coach said in a press conference before the round. “So the next match at Villa Park is also the final.”
In the last four matches, Man Utd’s young players have impressed. Center forward Rasmus Hojlund scored in all four matches, while outside midfielder Alejandro Garnacho and central midfielder Kobbie Mainoo also scored twice. These three players are only 21, 20 and 19 years old, so Ten Hag considers them the future of the team.
“These three players want to pass to each other to score goals, and enjoy the fun of playing football together,” he said. “Man Utd wants to win many titles, so young players must also show their bravery, especially in key matches.”
Man Utd beat Aston Villa 3-2 at Old Trafford on December 27, despite being two goals behind. Unai Emery’s army was second in the table after round 20, but is now down to fourth. Ten Hag believes that under his colleague Emery, Aston Villa players always know what to do to overcome difficulties. Therefore, the Dutch coach warned his students that Man Utd’s chance of entering the top 4 is increasingly remote if the team loses to Aston Villa.
The “Red Devils” will continue to be without left back Tyrell Malacia, midfielder Mason Mount and striker Anthony Martial due to long-term injuries. Right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka was also injured, but the team’s biggest problem is that midfielder Lisandro Martinez injured the lateral ligament of his knee and is out of action for at least eight weeks. However, Ten Hag believes that the team still has many options to replace Martinez.
Experts say that left-back Luke Shaw can stick to the central defender position, as he did for a while last season. However, Man Utd will be missing the left wing, when Malacia has not yet returned. Ten Hag still doesn’t seem to want to use Raphael Varane or Harry Maguire in this position, because the two 31-year-old midfielders are both right-footed. Jonny Evans plays well with both feet, so is likely to be used. “Man Utd centre-backs have improved in their ability to play with their feet and deploy the ball,” he said.