Aheed Abrar
Erik ten Hag believes squad depth key for Manchester United amidst injury concerns
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes the squad depth will be key for us amidst injury concerns after the Nottingham Forest game.
The Red Devils had to make a last-minute change in their starting lineup, taking out Marcel Sabitzer and replacing him with Christian Eriksen. Tyrell Malacia also missed the game, while the Old Trafford side are already without a number of defenders like Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw.
Speaking to the media via the club’s official website, Ten Hag pinpointed the importance of having quality players in the squad capable of coming in and doing the job when called upon.
”You see how quickly things can change, last week we had nine fit defenders, today we had four. We need the numbers especially as we are one of a few teams in Europe who are playing a lot of games and we need the numbers to stay in competitions because we want a good team every time we step on the pitch.”
Those who started against Forest on Sunday (16 April) at the City Ground got the job done. Goals from Antony and Diogo Dalot helped United cruise to a 2-0 victory.
The Red Devils dominated the game. For most of the proceedings, we were on top of the Tricky Trees and did not let them breathe.
Subsequently, at around the half-hour mark, Anthony poked the ball into the back of the net to score for the first time in the English top flight since October. The Brazilian also set up Dalot, who played as a left-back, in the 76th minute for his first goal in the PL.
Eriksen was brilliant, having replaced Sabitzer. The Denmark international made his first start for the Old Trafford side against Forest after returning from his lengthy layoff.
Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof also started together after a long time. The two have become bit-part players since Ten Hag’s arrival. But the two stepped up with Martinez and Varane on the sidelines.
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Going into the business end of the season, it is not ideal for the gaffer not to have his strongest XI on the pitch. But hopefully, the other players in the squad will not let us rue the absences.
