Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag has cautioned his players that they cannot become a soft touch as the season is gradually coming to an end.
The make-or-break week for United starts at Nottingham Forest and continues with matches against Sevilla in the Europa League and Brighton at Wembley the following weekend.
Ten Hag has propelled the Red Devils to top four in the Premier League. He also ended the club’s six years trophy drought as he won the Carabao cup in February.
The shock of witnessing Sevilla score twice in the closing eight minutes to put United’s advancement into a European semi-final in doubt has caused Ten Hag to instruct his players to toughen up.
“We are all human beings and can make mistakes, but we have to avoid making too many,” said Ten Hag as reported by Mirror Football.
“Certain players now have to step up to take the team and control the standards.
“I can only talk about negatives from the Sevilla game. We played some quite good football but you then have to manage the game. If you want to win trophies, you have to be smart. You have to stick to the plan and not allow an opponent to get back in the game.
“The players have to be aware that a game is over 95 or so minutes – and, yes, we still have a way to go. I am fully aware of it, but the team has to know. We need leaders in such moments.”
The United squad is being stretched to breaking point as the season comes to a close.
Marcus Rashford, the team’s leading scorer, is out with a groin injury. While Anthony Martial needs to be watched over during matches because of his conditioning difficulties.
After being injured against Sevilla, Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez will be out of the team for some periods.
Luke Shaw, Scott McTominay, and Alejandro Garnacho are also absent from Ten Hag’s team with varying degrees of injuries.
By Habeeb Kuranga
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