Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has delivered a stern message to his players, urging them to embrace the physical demands of a congested fixture list by enduring “suffering” and making sacrifices.
Ten Hag vehemently denied that his training regime is the root cause of their recent injury crisis, emphasizing that the intensity of Premier League competition has intensified significantly compared to last season.
He demanded that his players adapt their training and preparation to match the heightened physical demands.
“In the first 12 Premier League games, the physical standards have been even higher in comparison to last year,” Ten Hag asserted.
“You have choices to make. Either you match it by training and preparation – or you drop off.”
“Either you match it by training and preparation – or you drop off.
“That is a decision that every club has to make, every team has to make, and every individual has to make. You have to do it smart. Every team knows you have to suffer and sacrifice,” Ten Hag said.
The manager’s stern warning comes amidst a growing injury list at the club, with Mason Mount joining the ranks of Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen, Tyrell Malacia, and Jonny Evans on the sidelines.
While Luke Shaw is set to return after a three-month absence, Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka remain doubtful for the upcoming match against Everton.
