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 fixture. The manager already used eight players that featured at the tournament during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup match. Five of these players made appearances in the starting XI. However, Ten Hag also wants World Cup winner Lisandro Martinez back in Manchester as soon as possible.
The defender helped Argentina win the World Cup on Sunday and has not yet returned to England. Ten Hag was forced to play midfielder Casemiro in central defense due to absences in the squad. The manager said on Friday that he needs Martinez back for a Nottingham Forest game next week.
Defender still celebrating in South America
“[Martinez] is still celebrating now in Buenos Aires now going around in the touring car! Going around in Buenos Aires and I can understand it, it is very emotional, very loaded when you achieve this World Cup success in your country,” said ten Hag.
“It is magnificent, it is the highest that you can achieve [in soccer]. Licha [Martinez] also has to understand that on December 27th, the Premier League is back.”
The Forest game two days after Christmas will be United’s first Premier League game in over six weeks. Ten Hag also stated that everyone knows the schedule and is aware of how important these matches are.
Coach claims players know when the Premier League returns
“We all know the restart was five or six days after the World Cup final,” Ten Hag said. “Everyone has to be ready and accept it. The manager and coaching staff of course, but also the players — they have to accept it. They want trophies.”
“We spoke about the tough competition and we have to be ready for it and deal with it, do it smart and hopefully get the right performance and results.”
The Red Devils are currently fifth in the Premier League standings. They do, however, have an extra game at hand compared to fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
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