Ten Hag: 'Man Utd only once had the strongest squad'
According to Ten Hag, the only time Man Utd had a full force was when he beat Man City 2-1 at Old Trafford in round 20 of the Premier League on January 14. That match, Jack Grealish opened the scoring for the away team, but Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford scored consecutively in the last 10 minutes of the second half to help the "Red Devils" win back.
"In other matches, Man Utd always has players suspended, injured or sick," Ten Hag said on March 15 at a press conference before the second leg of the Europa League round of 16 at Betis Stadium. "So we have to deal with this properly. And I see Arsenal almost always having a completely ready squad."
Yesterday, the Dutch coach confirmed Alejandro Garnacho was out for a few weeks after a collision with Kyle Walker-Peters in the 0-0 draw with Southampton in the Premier League over the weekend. After the match, the Argentine striker was on crutches and had to immobilize his right leg.
Antony is sick and Anthony Martial is not in the best shape nor is he going to Spain, while Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek are still on long-term leave. However, Man Utd today will welcome Marcel Sabitzer and Victor Lindelof back, and Casemiro is also available due to a four-match suspension in domestic leagues.
Acknowledging that there is still a gap between Man Utd and the top clubs, Ten Hag thinks that the Premier League can have seven championship teams. He did not disclose specifics, but emphasized that these are teams with the same ambition.
"The race in the Premier League is tougher than ever. It's no longer a two-horse race, it's five, six or seven teams competing," he said. "Man Utd can win the title, but there are still steps to be taken. Man Utd has improved, but there is still a gap with the top clubs, and we cannot quickly close that gap."
This season, in theory, the Old Trafford owner still has a chance to eat four. They have won the League Cup and are third in the Premier League with 16 points less than the top of the table Arsenal, while the season has 12 rounds left. Ten Hag's teachers and students also won Betis 4-1 in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16 and will take on Fulham in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup on March 19.
When asked about the possibility of Man Utd going unbeaten for the rest of the season, Ten Hag replied: "We have the ability to do it, but the team can't think too far and have to focus on each game."
