EPL: Ten Hag refuses to be drawn on striker speculation
May 24, 2023
Manchester United take on Brighton in the Premier League on Wednesday night knowing that even a draw will be enough to secure them Champions League football next season.
But the focus at the pre-match press conference was very much on the striker situation at the Old Trafford club with Ten Hag prssed on matters like the fitness of Marcus Rashford, the potential sale of Anthony Martial and a rumoured move by the club for Brazilian forward Neymar.
Ten Hag was typically circumspect with his answers, although he was fulsome in his praise for his striker, Martial.
Speaking to the press he said: “It is not fair to suggest Martial may leave.
“If you are not available you can’t score. When he was available, we played better, and this team is winning games.
“He is also scoring goals then, but he has to be available.”
Pressed to comment on the rumours that Neymar will join the club during the off-season the Dutchman would not be drawn, offering neither a confirmation nor a denial that conversations were taking place. “When we have news, we will tell you,” he said.
he was a little more effusive as he reflected on the current season and the final few games that are still to be played. “First we have to win the game tomorrow and get the job done. Then it’s about the judgement from others, if it’s a good performance or bad performance or a normal performance.
“We are in a project and we want to go back and win trophies. We win one trophy but we want to win more trophies. We want to compete with the best but we are still in a journey. We are still in a journey, but we think we are in the right direction. But we can always be better because good is not good enough.
“We want to compete with the best and then you have to be in the Champions League. So (it is) simple.
“In the Premier League you have to qualify yourself to be in the first four. That’s not easy because there are many competing for it. Many think they should be in and we are one of them,” he said.
Manchester United play Brighton on Wednesday evening before finishing their season with a home clash against Fulham on Sunday.
Striker Marcus Rashford who has missed the last few games with injury looks set to be available with Ten Hag confirming that the influential front-man was back in training: “Yesterday he returned to training. He looks quite fit but we have to see today what is the outcome of the training, how did he recover, and then we will make our choices.”
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EPL: Ten Hag refuses to be drawn on striker speculation
Manchester United take on Brighton in the Premier League on Wednesday night knowing that even a draw will be enough to secure them Champions League football next season.
But the focus at the pre-match press conference was very much on the striker situation at the Old Trafford club with Ten Hag prssed on matters like the fitness of Marcus Rashford, the potential sale of Anthony Martial and a rumoured move by the club for Brazilian forward Neymar.
Ten Hag was typically circumspect with his answers, although he was fulsome in his praise for his striker, Martial.
Speaking to the press he said: “It is not fair to suggest Martial may leave.
“If you are not available you can’t score. When he was available, we played better, and this team is winning games.
“He is also scoring goals then, but he has to be available.”
Pressed to comment on the rumours that Neymar will join the club during the off-season the Dutchman would not be drawn, offering neither a confirmation nor a denial that conversations were taking place. “When we have news, we will tell you,” he said.
he was a little more effusive as he reflected on the current season and the final few games that are still to be played. “First we have to win the game tomorrow and get the job done. Then it’s about the judgement from others, if it’s a good performance or bad performance or a normal performance.
“We are in a project and we want to go back and win trophies. We win one trophy but we want to win more trophies. We want to compete with the best but we are still in a journey. We are still in a journey, but we think we are in the right direction. But we can always be better because good is not good enough.
“We want to compete with the best and then you have to be in the Champions League. So (it is) simple.
“In the Premier League you have to qualify yourself to be in the first four. That’s not easy because there are many competing for it. Many think they should be in and we are one of them,” he said.
Manchester United play Brighton on Wednesday evening before finishing their season with a home clash against Fulham on Sunday.
Striker Marcus Rashford who has missed the last few games with injury looks set to be available with Ten Hag confirming that the influential front-man was back in training: “Yesterday he returned to training. He looks quite fit but we have to see today what is the outcome of the training, how did he recover, and then we will make our choices.”