Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has made it clear that he is counting on his World Cup players to be ready for the club’s next game. The coach has already used eight players who participated in the tournament during the Carabao Cup match on Wednesday. Five of these players made appearances in the starting eleven. However, ten Hag also wants World Cup winner Lisandro Martinez to return to Manchester as soon as possible.
The defender helped Argentina win the World Cup on Sunday and has yet to return to England. Ten Hag was forced to put midfielder Casemiro in central defense due to absences from the squad. The manager said on Friday that he needs Martinez back for a Nottingham Forest game next week.
Defender continues celebrating in South America
“[Martinez] keep celebrating now in buenos aires now going around in the tourist car! Going around in Buenos Aires and I can understand it, it is very emotional, very charged when you achieve this success in the World Cup in your country”, said ten Hag.
“It’s magnificent, it’s the highest you can reach [in soccer]. Though [Martinez] You also have to understand that the Premier League returns on December 27 ”.
The Forest game two days after Christmas will be United’s first Premier League game in more than six weeks. Ten Hag also stated that everyone knows the schedule and is aware of the importance of these matches.
The manager claims that the players know when the Premier League returns
“We all know that the restart was five or six days after the World Cup final,” Ten Hag said. “Everyone has to be prepared and accept it. The coach and the coaching staff, of course, but also the players, have to accept it. They want trophies.
“We talked about tough competition and we have to be ready to face it, do it smartly and hopefully get the right performance and results.”
The Red Devils are currently fifth in the Premier League standings. However, they have an extra game in hand compared to fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
Photo: IMAGO / NurPhoto
