Erik ten Hag dismisses "too hard" training suggestions amid injury crisis

By Ben Sully | 03 April 2024

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag hits back at suggestions that the club's training methods are contributing to the current injury crisis.

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has dismissed suggestions that the club's training methods are "too hard" amid their current injury crisis.

The Red Devils recently confirmed that Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez are expected to be out "for at least a month" due to muscle problems.

Lindelof sustained a hamstring injury in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Brentford, while Martinez suffered a calf strain in training.

The Argentina international has only recovered from a knee injury to replace Lindelof in the second half of Saturday's clash at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Lindelof and Martinez have ultimately been added to an absentee list which includes Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Anthony Martial.

Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez with manager Erik ten Hag after sustaining an injury on February 4, 2024 © Reuters

Ten Hag rejects training concerns

Having seen his side hampered by injuries throughout the season, Ten Hag was asked about Man United's recurring fitness issues ahead of Thursday's meeting with Chelsea.

"No, we don't train too hard," Ten Hag told reporters. "We need to be fit. With the standards in this league, you need to be fit. Otherwise, you can't match the standards you are required in a game. We don't train too hard."

The Man United boss also insisted that he has no concerns over the club's backroom staff, despite deciding against appointing his own specialist fitness coach when he was appointed in the summer of 2022.

Ten Hag insisted: "We have good departments, we have good people around with a lot of knowledge. Based on data we make our decisions."

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag on March 3, 2024 © Reuters

Ten Hag blames busy schedule

While Man United are not currently competing in European competition, Ten Hag believes that the current schedule continues to have an impact on his squad.

"I know that it still has an effect," Ten Hag added. "The huge amount of games we had in the last 18 months. That still has an impact on our squad, the accumulation on the players.

"You need very robust players. That is the requirement. When you go into Christmas with many injuries and then you have to bring them back. But when they are free from injury they are not match fit. They are not straight back into the form, that also needs a couple of games before you get back into the rhythm. It still has an impact.

"Anywhere, the players, the people get overloaded and they can't bring the performances anymore. We are already over the point where we demand what we want from our top players."

In positive news, Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans are expected to be fit for Thursday's trip to Stamford Bridge, where they will attempt to close the nine-point gap to fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.