MANCHESTER: Coach of Manchester United Erik ten Hag said he was aware his club’s overspending in the end-of-season transfer window means there is pressure to secure a top-four spot this season.
United have spent more than 200 million pounds ($240.92 million) to bring in Brazilian duo Antony and Casemiro from Ajax Amsterdam and Real Madrid respectively, Argentine World Cup winner Lisandro Martinez and the Dutch full-back Tyrell Malacia ahead of the current campaign.
Ten Hag, who took over as manager Ralf Rangnick in April, has revamped a side looking to turn things around after their worst premier league transport points the last quarter. United are fifth in the current standings, three points behind the top four.
“I accept what it is, I accept this pressure,” Ten Hag said at a press conference. “But also for the manager of Chelsea and Newcastle United, these clubs who have invested a lot in their workforce.
“It’s a big pressure for all of us to get into the top four. We want to be in the top four and fight for trophies, that’s our goal.”
It remains unclear whether two key players in United’s transformation bid – first-choice centre-back Martinez and Raphael Varane – will be available for Tuesday’s home clash with Nottingham Forest.
Varane was on the losing side when France succumbed to Argentina in last weekend’s World Cup final, with Martinez watching from the bench as an unused substitute.
“I can’t answer that question right now,” Ten Hag said of Martinez’s potential availability. “He’s always partying in Argentina, in Buenos Aires, he’s on tour in Buenos Aires.
“I can understand that, it’s very moving, very charged when you win the World Cup (and bring it back) to your country, it’s magnificent. But Licha Martinez must also accept that the 27, the Premier League keep on going.
“Varane, of course, is disappointed to have lost the final but he can also be proud to be in the final again and everything he has achieved in his career is huge, as a team and as a player, for win so many trophies.”
Ten Hag doesn’t expect Jadon Sancho to be available against Forest as he still hasn’t returned to training for the squad. The 23-year-old began an individual training program in the Netherlands four weeks ago and hasn’t played since United’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea on October 22.
United have spent more than 200 million pounds ($240.92 million) to bring in Brazilian duo Antony and Casemiro from Ajax Amsterdam and Real Madrid respectively, Argentine World Cup winner Lisandro Martinez and the Dutch full-back Tyrell Malacia ahead of the current campaign.
Ten Hag, who took over as manager Ralf Rangnick in April, has revamped a side looking to turn things around after their worst premier league transport points the last quarter. United are fifth in the current standings, three points behind the top four.
“I accept what it is, I accept this pressure,” Ten Hag said at a press conference. “But also for the manager of Chelsea and Newcastle United, these clubs who have invested a lot in their workforce.
“It’s a big pressure for all of us to get into the top four. We want to be in the top four and fight for trophies, that’s our goal.”
It remains unclear whether two key players in United’s transformation bid – first-choice centre-back Martinez and Raphael Varane – will be available for Tuesday’s home clash with Nottingham Forest.
Varane was on the losing side when France succumbed to Argentina in last weekend’s World Cup final, with Martinez watching from the bench as an unused substitute.
“I can’t answer that question right now,” Ten Hag said of Martinez’s potential availability. “He’s always partying in Argentina, in Buenos Aires, he’s on tour in Buenos Aires.
“I can understand that, it’s very moving, very charged when you win the World Cup (and bring it back) to your country, it’s magnificent. But Licha Martinez must also accept that the 27, the Premier League keep on going.
“Varane, of course, is disappointed to have lost the final but he can also be proud to be in the final again and everything he has achieved in his career is huge, as a team and as a player, for win so many trophies.”
Ten Hag doesn’t expect Jadon Sancho to be available against Forest as he still hasn’t returned to training for the squad. The 23-year-old began an individual training program in the Netherlands four weeks ago and hasn’t played since United’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea on October 22.
