Erik ten Hag has launched a defence of his gamers, claiming Wayne Rooney was unsuitable to counsel some members of his Manchester United squad are refusing to play.
Talking as a particular visitor on Tremendous Sunday, Rooney mentioned he’s “100 per cent” satisfied that a few of United’s injured gamers are match sufficient to play, leaving supervisor Ten Hag to “take all the stick” for poor performances.
United had 10 injured gamers for his or her 1-0 loss at residence to Arsenal, which leaves them rooted to eighth place, heading in the right direction for his or her lowest-ever Premier League end and operating the chance of lacking out on European soccer altogether subsequent season.
Below Ten Hag this season, United have misplaced 19 video games in all competitions, their most since 1978-79, whereas Sunday’s loss to the Gunners was their ninth loss at Previous Trafford this time period, their joint-most at residence in a season.
Requested if United’s gamers are at present taking part in for Ten Hag, Rooney instructed Sky Sports activities: “If they’re, I do not assume they’re exhibiting it very properly. The performances, and there are some good gamers in that squad, are means under par.
“As we have a look at the accidents they’ve picked up, a few of these gamers can play, 100 per cent.
“When you’ve got the European Championship arising and an FA Cup remaining, it is easy for gamers to remain out of it slightly bit, get again for the ultimate and ensure they’re prepared for the European Championship. I’ve seen it myself over time.
“The players who are injured are not filling themselves in any credit at the minute. The manager is going to take all the stick for that.”
However, talking at his press convention on Tuesday forward of the go to of Newcastle United to Previous Trafford, Ten Hag has insisted that his gamers will at all times make themselves out there for choice offered they’re match.
“You have to see here in Carrington, the players are desperate to play,” mentioned the beleaguered Dutchman.
“Bruno [Fernandes] did a fitness test on Sunday to play and [Marcus] Rashford did everything he could do. Players are desperate to play. [Victor] Lindelof and [Raphael] Varane are training to make themselves available for the final. They do what they can do.”
Bruno Fernandes has been lacking from the facet
Ten Hag was with out first-team regulars Fernandes, Rashford, Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Lindelof, Varane, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount, whereas Tyrell Malacia and Anthony Martial are long-term absentees.
Scott McTominay returned to the beginning line-up on Sunday after damage, whereas Ten Hag revealed earlier within the week that Argentina defender Martinez had been pleading to play after recovering from a calf drawback.
Martinez again in rivalry to face Newcastle
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Erik Ten Hag stubbornly dismissed additional questions linking Bruno Fernandes with a summer time exit and burdened what an enormous participant he’s for Manchester United
Manchester United declined to reply to Rooney’s feedback when contacted by Sky Sports activities Information. Ten Hag has confirmed that Martinez is ready to return to the squad to tackle Newcastle.
The important thing Argentina centre-back has managed simply 11 appearances since breaking his metatarsal final April, compounding the problems dealing with a Purple Devils defence beset by accidents.
Martinez underwent foot surgical procedure for the second time in October having returned for the beginning of the season, then was laid low by knee and calf accidents upon his return.
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Leandro Trossard’s strike sunk Manchester United as Arsenal received at Previous Trafford
The latter challenge has stored Martinez out for the previous six weeks, however the centre-back is ready to carry United by returning to the squad for his or her remaining residence match of the season.
“Licha Martinez, I think he will return to the squad,” Ten Hag mentioned. “He’s done some sessions with us, and we plan for him to be available if this afternoon everything goes right in training. He will return to the squad.
“Then for another gamers, now we have to see: (Marcus) Rashford, Bruno (Fernandes), Willy Kambwala, if they’re match sufficient.”
Keane: Not a good sign | Merson: Injuries not an excuse
Andre Onana has been stored very busy this season
Responding to Rooney’s claims, Sky Sports activities pundit Roy Keane mentioned: “That’s not a good sign. You hope players who are carrying injuries are desperate to get back to playing football.
“There are at all times just a few gamers at each membership who drag their heels with just a few accidents. However different gamers, definitely ones I performed with, they’ll attempt to knock per week or two off that.
“That’s always a worry, but that goes on at lots of clubs, where they have a lack of confidence and they’re out of it, and they don’t rush back to be with the team. “
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Wayne Rooney, Roy Keane and Paul Merson give their tackle Manchester Utd’s horrible season and focus on whether or not Erik ten Hag is the appropriate particular person to maneuver the membership ahead
Former Arsenal midfielder and Sky Sports activities’ Paul Merson additionally weighed in on the controversy, insisting United are nonetheless not ok to compete on the high stage with or with no fully-fit squad.
“You can have 10 or 11 injuries, Luton have had 10 or 11 injuries. Chelsea have got 10 or 11 injuries, big players like Reece James who is the first choice and the captain of the club. And Chelsea are still going to finish above them,” Merson mentioned.
“Newcastle will come here and win this week. I don’t care how many of them get fit next season, there’s no way Manchester United will finish above Arsenal next season. No chance. They’re 30 points behind.
“There have been 15 United employees on the market warming up the gamers – simply as many employees as gamers. If I need to play, the physio is not going to inform me I am not taking part in.
“I played over 700 football matches. If I played 100 games at 100 per cent, I’d be shocked. I was having injections, taking tablets, I wanted to play football. I wasn’t going to listen to someone else tell me I can’t play.”
Rooney: Man Utd ought to give Ten Hag time
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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag remained upbeat regardless of their 1-0 loss to Arsenal and believes his crew are nonetheless preventing for a profitable finish to the marketing campaign
As a way to qualify for Europe subsequent season, United should end within the high seven – they usually lie three factors behind Chelsea in that place with simply two rounds of fixtures left – or beat Manchester Metropolis on this month’s FA Cup remaining at Wembley.
After the loss to Arsenal, Ten Hag was content material with the “attitude” and the competitiveness his facet confirmed towards the title-chasing Gunners – and believes that the United supporters are behind him.
However Rooney believes a few of United’s gamers are “just trying to get to the end of the season”.
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“I think the players have to look at themselves, when you’ve got a manager talking about attitudes and players not being right to play for Manchester United, that’s a massive insult. If I see my manager saying that, there’s no way I would let that ride and ride until the end of the season,” Rooney mentioned.
“I think some players are just trying to get to the end of the season, that’s my opinion on it. So I feel for him, but that’s his job to make sure the players are right.”
Requested what that outcome means for the way forward for Ten Hag, Rooney added: “When you’re losing games in the way they’re losing games, there’s going to be big questions asked.
“I’d personally hope they do give him [Ten Hag] time, there are plenty of issues with recruitment, it hasn’t been good for just a few years.
“I hope he gets time to do it right. But we saw it in 2016 when Louis van Gaal lost his job [after winning the FA Cup], so you never know.”
Keane: United so unhealthy | Merson: A stunning show
Discussing the outcome, former United captain Keane was vital of Ten Hag’s assault, which did not benefit from having 14 photographs – three greater than Arsenal – and 145 touches within the remaining third.
“The disappointment for me in the last half an hour was United. Arsenal have come to Old Trafford over the years and found it difficult, but I bet Arsenal couldn’t believe how bad United were,” Keane mentioned.
“No matter bits of possession they’d, the top product and lack of high quality – you discuss in regards to the nice groups United had over time, the gamers they’ve had. That final half an hour, decision-making, no person digging anyone out, making errors, falling over, not placing calls for on one another.
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Roy Keane, Wayne Rooney and Paul Merson replicate on Arsenal’s successful purpose and the way Manchester United’s Casemiro performed an enormous half by taking part in Kai Havertz onside
“That United team there… they’re so bad.”
United got here into the sport with 10 injured gamers lacking – however Merson believes Ten Hag’s facet ought to nonetheless be doing higher.
“It was shocking,” mentioned Merson about United’s show. “They just had 145 touches in the final third, and two shots on target. One was from Casemiro from 40 yards which I could have saved it.
“It is not ok, you’ll be able to’t lose 9 video games at residence, that is Manchester United.”
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