Man United could have a record-breaking season of fixtures under Erik ten Hag and play up to six games in the next two-and-a-half weeks.
Eriik ten Hag is adamant Manchester United’s energy levels will not drop in what could be one of the club’s most taxing seasons.
United have already played 40 games and could play up to 25 more if they progress to the finals of the FA Cup and the Europa League.
Under Sir Alex Ferguson, United played 66 times in the 2008-09 season when they won the Club World Cup, the League Cup and the Premier League, and reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup and the Champions League final.
Ten Hag at his press conference on Tuesday
United played 64 games in the 2016-17 campaign under Jose Mourinho while they competed in 63 fixtures during the Treble-winning season in 1998-99. They also played 63 times in 1993-94 and 2002-03.
United resume their Europa League campaign in the round-of-16 against Real Betis next week and Ten Hag highlighted the importance of remaining in Europe, having experienced disappointingly early eliminations with Ajax.
Ten Hag guided Ajax to the Champions League semi-finals in 2018-19 but they were eliminated at the group stage in the next two seasons and ejected by Benfica at the last 16 stage last term.
“It’s true. In my experience in Ajax, when we dropped out of Europe the levels went down and when you are in it gives energy,” Ten Hag said. “Yes, I think [the United squad can cope with the demands]. Until now, we have managed it quite well and I think we can do it also until the end of the season. I’m happy. Except Anthony Martial, the availability from all the players is there.
“Mentally, they are really ambitious, that is one thing and that gives energy. Second, we have the type of players who can handle the load, the physical load.
“Of course, the players have to take responsibility for that first. They have to take responsibility for their performance. But I can’t see that [a drop in levels happening]. It’s a trophy but it’s not the end of the season.
“What I have heard around me and when I see the comments … when I see the fight in the dressing room it’s not like we are satisfied with this. We want to do better. That is quite clear. So it’s inspiring and it’s not the end – definitely not.”
United travel to Liverpool after the West Ham match and host Southampton in between the two legs against Real Betis. They will play their FA Cup quarter-final on March 19 if they defeat West Ham on Wednesday night.
Sir Alex Ferguson encourages Manchester United to sign a new striker
Sir Alex Ferguson has encouraged his former club Manchester United to sign a new striker to ease the burden on goal machine Marcus Rashford.
The Red Devils ended their six-year wait for silverware by securing a 2-0 win over Newcastle United in Sunday’s EFL Cup final at Wembley, with Rashford on the scoresheet after being awarded their second goal which was initially ruled as an own goal by Sven Botman.
The England international has now scored 17 goals in 19 appearances for Man United since the World Cup break, with his latest strike at Wembley taking his goal tally for the season to 25 in 38 games across all competitions – his best scoring season with the Red Devils.
Ferguson has heaped praise on Rashford for his electric form in front of goal this season, but the legendary Scotsman has suggested that the Red Devils should target another frontman ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
Many have questioned what Rashford’s best position is for Man United, but Ferguson believes the Englishman is “not a striker” and is best suited to operate on the left flank, where he has predominantly played under Ten Hag this season.
“I don’t think he’s a striker,” the 81-year-old told Sky Sports after Sunday’s EFL Cup final. “He operates from the left-hand side fantastic, his finishing is always good, always keeps his shots down which is really important for a striker.”
Ferguson added: “He’s in a great vein of form. Unfortunately for us, he’s the main source of goals, we could do with an extra one. But he is doing it.”
The Scotsman, who won a remarkable 38 trophies during his legendary 26-year spell in charge of Man United, has been impressed with Ten Hag’s management of the side in his first season and has praised the recruitment by the club under the Dutchman.
“United is based on success and he’s gone the right way about it,” Ferguson added. “His signings have been really good – I think that was important – and he’s got a grip of the club which is really big for him.
“You come to United and you try to get off to a good start right away. He’s done really well, he really has.”
Ten Hag currently has Wout Weghorst and Anthony Martial as his centre-forward options, but both players are believed to be facing uncertain futures at the club, with the former expected to leave when his loan deal from Burnley expires at the end of the season.
The Dutchman is understood to have drawn up a six-player shortlist of targets ahead of the summer transfer window, which allegedly includes Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane and Napoli forward Victor Osimhen.
Kane recently became Spurs’ all-time leading goalscorer and increased his tally to 268 when he found the net in the 2-0 win over Chelsea last weekend.
The 29-year-old, who has scored 20 goals in 34 games so far this season, is yet to win a major trophy in his professional career and with less than 18 months remaining on his contract, there have been suggestions that the Englishman could seek pastures new in the prime years of his career.
Kane is believed to be valued in excess of £100m by Tottenham, a similar valuation that Napoli have for goal machine Osimhen, who has been a standout performer for the Serie A leaders this season, netting 21 times in 25 games across all competitions.
The 24-year-old is under contract in Naples until June 2025 and the Italian outfit have no interest in selling their star asset, who has also attracted interest from the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Real Madrid.
Man United have also been credited with an interest in Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe, while Benfica‘s Goncalo Ramos and Ajax‘s Mohammed Kudus are also said to be on Ten Hag’s radar.
Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk; sportsmole.co.uk
