Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag provided an update on the availability of his players. The Dutchman named four players his side will be without for the Europa League clash against FC Twente.
The Red Devils’ 2024/25 UEFA Europa League campaign kicks off this week as they host the Eredivisie side at Old Trafford on Wednesday, September 25. Although Manchester United finished eighth in the league last season, they qualified for the tournament after beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
Speaking to the media in the pre-match press conference, manager Ten Hag admitted that his side would have to make do without four players for the opening match. The former Ajax manager said that the club are not expecting any players to return from injury for this match and the squad will be the same that drew against Crystal Palace at the weekend.
The defensive quartet of Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, and Leny Yoro missed the goalless draw in London and are expected to miss the match against FC Twente. Lindelof and Malacia are back in training but Shaw and Yoro will be out for longer.
While Ten Hag didn’t provide a timeline of return for Lindelof, Malacia, and Yoro, he said that he expects to see England international Shaw in action around the next international break.
“The plan is just to be back before [the October international break] but as I say I can’t say this 100 percent for sure. It could also be shortly after the break,” the Manchester United website quoted their manager as saying.
Before the international break, Manchester United are scheduled to play four more matches across competitions.
“I would have preferred to play against someone else” – Manchester United manager
While his side prepares to host FC Twente, Erik ten Hag admitted it would be an emotional occasion for him. The Dutchman came through the ranks at Twente and made 234 appearances for the club. He even managed the senior team after calling time on his playing career.
In the press conference, Ten Hag spoke about how he came through their youth system and how he has plenty of history there.
“FC Twente has brought me a lot. I was put through their academy, I was part of the generation of the first youth team when the youth competition was started up again after many years, so for me, there is a great deal of history there,” he said (via ESPN).
Ten Hag also admitted that he would have liked to play another team.
“I would have preferred to play against someone else. It is not nice to have to hurt something you love,” Ten Hag said.
After Ten Hag’s former side visit Old Trafford, Manchester United host Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday, September 29.
