Ten Hag - Manchester United 'still have to win' games without Casemiro and Christian Eriksen
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Updated 04/04/2023 at 17:48 GMT+1
Manchester United have failed to win any of their last three Premier League games - a run that stretches back to February 19 and coincides with the loss of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen - but manager Erik ten Hag insists his side need to find a way to win without some of their important players. United have fallen out of the top-four and face back-to-back games against Brentford and Everton.
Man Utd 'still have to win' games without Casemiro and Eriksen, says Ten Hag
Erik ten Hag has stressed that Manchester United “still have to win” games even when they are missing important players.
A 2-0 defeat to Newcastle on Sunday extended United's winless run in the Premier League to three games, a run that stretches back to February 19, with the absences of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen clearly taking their toll.
They have subsequently fallen out of the top four, although they are level on points with fourth-placed Tottenham, who they have two games in hand over. A win over Brentford on Wednesday could see them climb as high as third.
"They are two quality players,” Ten Hag said on the suspended Casemiro and the injured Eriksen.
Casemiro is currently serving a four-match ban and is due to return on April 15, meaning he will miss the visit of Brentford, and the game will also come too soon for Eriksen, who has just returned to first team training following ankle ligament damage.
“You know, the midfield department, games will be decided always in the midfield. So when you miss two quality players, it's clear," Ten Hag continued.
“But you have a squad, and when you don't have them, you still have to win."
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Casemiro of Manchester United celebrates scoring the first goal with team mate Christian Eriksen during the Premier League match between Manchester United and AFC Bournemouth.
Image credit: Getty Images
While United’s league form has dipped in recent weeks, the team have continued to progress in cup competitions, booking a place in the FA Cup semi-final and the Europa League quarter-final.
And with several crucial league games coming up, Ten Hag is keeping the faith.
“We played 60 minutes against Southampton with 10 men, we beat Fulham (in the FA Cup), that's a Premier League opponent,” he said.
“We beat Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, another Premier League opponent. So we're not concerned. We know we can beat Premier League teams."
Ten Hag is also pleased that defender Luke Shaw has signed a new four-year contract that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2027.
He stated: “I think it is a good message. An England international, he is doing really well this season.
“Really happy with him, I think he is a modern left full-back, but can play also other positions, left centre-back.
“He matches absolute the standards we want to have, so it's a very good message."
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