Mizgan Masani
Erik ten Hag warns Manchester United players to be focused ahead of the international break
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has warned his players to focus on beating Fulham in the FA Cup before going into the international break.
The manager also talked about how the Fulham game closes a period of the season before the final part that resumes in April after a two-week break.
Having lifted the Carabao Cup this season, United are in the quarter-final of the FA Cup and the Europa League. Ten Hag would be wanting to beat Fulham in the former and stay alive in the remaining two cup competitions in April.
Here’s what the boss said (h/t Manchester United website):
“It’s a huge game, just before the international break, but we want to stay in three [competitions] and we have to play our best and we have to prepare the team, and the players have to get ready. It’s going to be a massive effort but we are ready to do it.
“I think with this game we close a period, and then after it it goes to the final stage of the season; therefore this game is so huge and we know it.
“The fans are really excited, on Sunday it’s a big game at Old Trafford, they will be behind us I’m sure and we have to give them energy, give them celebrations, and we have to do everything to make that happen.”
It is a huge game because a win would give ten Hag’s men a chance to play at Wembley at least one more time this season. It would be special for the fans as well.
It won’t be easy against a dangerous Fulham side though, who have done exceptionally well in the league and would be targeting a Wembley trip for themselves too.
We did beat with a late winner from Alejandro Garnacho back in November, but that is a long way away now. Moreover, the absence of Casemiro will be a big miss for a knockout game like this.
Ten Hag has used his squad so well that United haven’t missed the absence of key players a lot of times. This game would provide another test of that.
More Manchester United News:
- Mason Mount appoints new agent and ‘set to leave’ Chelsea amidst Manchester United links
- Erik ten Hag feels Facundo Pellistri performed well in full debut for Manchester United vs Real Betis
- Manchester United ‘willing’ to swap Victor Lindelof for Inter Milan full-back Denzel Dumfries
The Red Devils have had an excellent period since the resumption of the season till date. With this period coming to a close ahead of the international break, it would be apt if the team wins this game and continue with that positive feeling for the crucial games coming up in April.
