Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has confessed that his team isn’t fully prepared for their Premier League opener against Fulham on Friday night. Despite the lack of readiness, Ten Hag acknowledges that the season is starting, and his squad must face the challenge head-on.Ten Hag confirmed that new signings Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, both of whom he previously coached at Ajax, will be included in the squad for Friday’s match. However, key players like Joshua Zirkzee and young defender Leny Yoro will miss the game due to injuries. The manager is also dealing with fitness concerns for several players who returned from international duties at different times during the summer.
“It’s true it’s not the pre-season where you can in five, six weeks work on the team,” Ten Hag said, explaining the difficulty of building a cohesive team under these circumstances. He emphasized that while the squad is not fully prepared, they must adhere to their principles and make a strong start to the season.
Ten Hag also addressed the readiness of De Ligt and Mazraoui, confirming their involvement, along with Harry Maguire, who is recovering from a knock sustained in the Community Shield. Meanwhile, Rasmus Hojlund, Luke Shaw, and Tyrell Malacia are unavailable due to injuries, with Shaw expected to return after the September international break.
United will kick off their 2024/25 Premier League campaign at Old Trafford against Fulham, followed by a trip to Brighton and a crucial early-season derby against Liverpool on September 1. Despite the challenges, Ten Hag remains focused on assembling a strong team for the season ahead.
Manchester United fans can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting at 6:30 pm on Friday, August 16.Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has expressed concerns about his squad’s readiness for their Premier League opener against Fulham on Friday night. Despite the challenges, Ten Hag is determined to push forward as the new season begins. New signings Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, both of whom played under Ten Hag at Ajax, are set to be included in the squad for the match. However, United will be without Joshua Zirkzee and young defender Leny Yoro, who are sidelined due to injuries. There are also lingering fitness issues among players who returned late from international duty, adding to the manager’s concerns.
Ten Hag admitted that the team had a shorter and less ideal pre-season, making it difficult to fully prepare the squad. Nevertheless, he stressed the importance of sticking to the team’s principles and starting the season strong, despite the lack of optimal preparation.
In addition to De Ligt and Mazraoui, Harry Maguire, who is recovering from a minor injury sustained in the Community Shield, is also expected to feature. Unfortunately, Rasmus Hojlund, Luke Shaw, and Tyrell Malacia are ruled out, with Shaw aiming for a return after the September international break.
Manchester United’s 2024/25 Premier League campaign will commence at Old Trafford against Fulham, followed by challenging fixtures against Brighton and Liverpool. The match against Fulham will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting at 6:30 pm on Friday, August 16.
