Manchester United fans have been warned by Erik ten Hag to brace themselves for a slow start to the season. Due to international commitments, key squad members such as Bruno Fernandes, Lisandro Martinez, and Alejandro Garnacho were absent during the U.S. tour. Ten Hag emphasized the importance of not taking risks with players ahead of the Community Shield against Manchester City on Saturday and acknowledged that it may take some time for the team to hit their stride once the Premier League season commences.
In addition to the absent players, Ten Hag will also be without injured pair Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund at the start of the season. There are doubts surrounding the availability of Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka to face City, which could potentially leave the team with only Martinez, Jonny Evans, and Diogo Dalot as the fit senior defenders at Wembley. This defensive crisis poses a significant challenge for United as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Despite the desire to secure a victory in the Community Shield, Ten Hag emphasized the importance of not risking more injuries that could disrupt the team’s performance throughout the season. The focus is on ensuring that players remain available and fit in order to achieve the desired results. The balance between pushing for immediate success and preventing long-term setbacks due to injuries is a critical factor that Ten Hag is carefully considering.
Despite speculation surrounding his future at the end of last season, Ten Hag received backing this summer with a new contract extension through 2026. Former United striker Robin van Persie expressed confidence in Ten Hag and new assistant manager Rudd van Nistelrooy to bring success to Old Trafford. Van Persie highlighted the challenges and opportunities that come with managing a club like Manchester United and emphasized the belief in Ten Hag’s capabilities to lead the team to victory.
While Ten Hag has achieved success in winning FA Cup and Carabao Cup titles during his first two seasons with United, the elusive league title has remained out of reach since the 2012-13 season. Van Persie acknowledged the progress that has been made in terms of building a distinct style of play and the commitment of the players to work under Ten Hag. The goal now is to translate that collective effort into securing a league title for Manchester United.
Overall, the challenges that Manchester United faces under Ten Hag are multifaceted. From managing player injuries to establishing a cohesive game model and pursuing major titles, the road ahead is filled with obstacles that require strategic planning and resilience. Ten Hag’s leadership, alongside the support of his coaching staff and players, will be instrumental in navigating the upcoming season and achieving the ultimate goal of bringing glory back to Manchester United.