Eric ten Hag says Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford is in “really good form” ahead of Saturday’s Community Shield clash against Manchester City at Wembley and is “very ambitious and motivated to have a really good season” season”.
The Manchester United striker had a forgettable season last season, scoring seven goals in the Premier League, but he missed out on qualifying for the European Championships in England. There were off-field issues too, with Rashford withdrawing after hosting a birthday party just hours after United lost the Manchester derby and then facing disciplinary action for missing an FA Cup tie after traveling to Belfast.
However, Ten Hag appears to have been impressed with Rashford’s form and performances in pre-season, with the 26-year-old looking to regain the form that saw him score 30 goals in 2022/23.
“We saw on the tour that he was very active and in very good shape already and we have high expectations for him, just like we have for the whole team this season,” said Ten Haig, who spoke of his relationship Laughing off any suggestion that there was any problem.
“There is a lot of advice surrounding this Manchester United team. We know the truth. He works very hard. [and he is] Very ambitious, motivated and looking to have a good season.
Ten Hag is targeting back-to-back wins over Manchester City at Wembley as he steers United into the Community Shield, three months after his side beat their neighbors in the FA Cup at the National Stadium.
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Manchester United boss Ten Hag discusses whether Sancho could start in Saturday’s Community Shield clash with Manchester City
The Dutchman believes his side have nothing to prove this weekend but are capable of beating any opponent. He believes their results against weaker teams could determine their Premier League performance in the upcoming season.
When asked about Manchester United’s prospects of promotion to the Premier League, Ten Hag said: “We will also challenge for the League Cup and FA Cup.” “This shows that we are competitive and can beat any opponent. This is what we have done in the past two seasons. proven.
“We beat Liverpool, we beat Manchester City. Our challenge is to be consistent against lower league teams – [although] I don’t think there is a lower tier team in the league that can win points. Other teams are ahead of us on this and we have to keep up.
“We already know we can beat Manchester City. It doesn’t depend on Saturday’s result and it won’t change that belief.
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Ten Hag discusses the club’s transfer strategy as they look to strengthen their squad in the summer transfer window
“The FA Cup is a higher occasion. Still, we wanted to win but we showed we can beat Manchester City.”
“We don’t want to take a chance on players and lose players for a long period of time. That’s what we have to learn from last season when you’re in a mode of missing any injured players. Players have to be able to play.”
Manchester United’s defensive issues ahead of Community Shield
It may not be a full-blown defensive crisis, but Ten Hague and United’s backline have fitness issues that will put the manager in a difficult position ahead of Saturday’s Community Shield clash with Manchester City.
Ten Hag said at the pre-match press conference that there were “question marks” over the team’s health Harry Maguire, winner Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw.
That means the Ten Witches could be without their entire back four for the season opener and add to a defensive injury list that also includes Lenny Yoro and Tyrell Malaysia.
Well, ten witches might have to give someone like this a lot of time Lysander Martinez and Diogo Dalot They have not yet participated in pre-season games for Manchester United due to international competition this summer.
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Ten Hag presents awards to Alejandro Garnacho and Lisandro Martinez after they won the Copa America with Argentina
“We think Luka will be involved in the game,” Ten Hag said of the centre-back.
“Maguire is [left out of the pre-season defeat to Liverpool as] It’s a precautionary measure, but his performance on Saturday remains a question mark. We have training and we have to see if he is healthy enough to play.
“Victor, he came on but he is also a question mark, Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw are also question marks and we have to assess them [on Friday]”.
Regarding players such as Martinez and Dalot who missed the US tour, Ten Hag said: “We have them involved in the off-season program, but they all have different pre-season training during the weeks we are in the United States. To start, so on an individual basis we assess them.
Jonny Evans – who fell ill in the defeat to Liverpool – and Harry Armas Will also strive for the opportunity to start at Wembley.
When does the summer transfer window open and close?
this 2024 summer transfer window The Premier League will officially end at 11pm UK time on August 30, and the Scottish League will officially end at 11:30pm.
The Premier League has brought forward its deadline to link up with other major European leagues. The deadline was determined following discussions with leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
