Ten Hag Says Man Utd NOT READY for Premier League Opener!🚨 Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has SHOCKED fans by admitting his team isn’t ready for their Premier League opener against Fulham on Friday night! 😱 Despite new signings De Ligt and Mazraoui, Ten Hag warns the squad is still struggling with injuries and fitness issues. Can the Red Devils pull off a win? 🧐
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has openly acknowledged that his team isn’t fully prepared for their Premier League opener against Fulham, set for Friday night. Despite this, Ten Hag is aware that the new season is upon them, and his squad must step up and face the challenge head-on. Even though their preparation has been less than perfect, Ten Hag is determined to tackle the season with determination.
The manager has 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 the upcoming match. However, the team will be missing key players like Joshua Zirkzee and young defender Leny Yoro due to injuries. Additionally, the return of several players from international duties at different times over the summer has led to fitness concerns, further complicating the team’s readiness.
Ten Hag noted the difficulty of the shortened pre-season, which has limited the time available to develop team cohesion. He stressed that, despite the incomplete preparation, the team must stick to their core principles and aim for a strong start to the season. Maintaining their foundational strategies is essential, even in the face of incomplete readiness.
Regarding player availability, Ten Hag confirmed that De Ligt and Mazraoui will be part of the squad for the opener. Harry Maguire, who is recovering from a minor injury sustained during the Community Shield, is also expected to play. However, Rasmus Hojlund, Luke Shaw, and Tyrell Malacia have been ruled out of the match, with Shaw expected to return after the September international break.
Manchester United will begin their 2024/25 Premier League season with a home game against Fulham at Old Trafford. This will be followed by challenging away fixtures against Brighton and a significant early-season derby against Liverpool on September 1. Despite the obstacles, Ten Hag is focused on assembling a strong team ready to face the season ahead.
Fans can watch Manchester United’s opening match live on Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting at 6:30 pm on Friday, August 16.
