Erik ten Hag claims he only had his 'favourite' team once and it included two deceased stars and Luke Shaw over Harry Maguire.
The Manchester United coach, Erik ten Hag, has stated that he has only been able to choose his 'favorite team once in the last 18 months.
The Red Devils boss defended his tenure at Old Trafford by revealing his entire squad was only available to him once in 106 games.
Ten Hag set for second successive FA Cup semi-final as United take on Championship side coventry city on Sunday at Wembley.
The Dutchman has seen his options reduced by three more for the match after more injuries continued to plague the club.
Sofia Amrabat, bricklayer assembly and Willy Kambwala are out, and the former club captain Harry Maguire Also a doubt for the party.
Ten Hag was already missing people like antonio martial, Luke ShawLisandro Martínez, Tyrell Malacia, Rafael Varane, Johnny Evansand Victor Lindelof for one of the most important moments of his mandate.
United sit seventh in the Premier League, with the FA Cup representing their last chance to salvage a disappointing season.
Ten Hag has been criticized for the current crisis, but he has responded with the bold suggestion that he has never been able to pick a team in top form.
The only exception during his 18-month reign was the 2-1 victory against city of manchester at Old Trafford in January 2023.
“In 18 months I have never had my favorite team on the field because the players are injured. That worries me,” Ten Hag said.
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“In fact, once against Manchester City last season in a home game, it was the only time we had a full team and I was able to choose my team.
“In every other game there was always an injury aspect that we had to deal with. That's normal in football, but not as many as we've had.
“When you have as many injuries as we have in crucial, key positions, you can't achieve the results you want. That's my truth. Others may have different truths, but I can't put energy into that.”
In the match in question, in which Ten Hag had his entire team at his disposal, United came from behind to beat their city rivals.
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The former Ajax boss started David De Gea in goal, who has since been replaced by André Onana between the sticks.
With Martínez, Maguire and Lindelof on the bench, Ten Hag opted for left-back Shaw to partner Varane in central defence, with Malacia, who has been unavailable all season, at full-back.
Fredwho was allowed to complete a reduced price departure at Fenerbahce Last summer, he received the go-ahead to be casemiroHis partner in midfield.
Club record signing Anthony He was on the bench with Alejandro Garncho and Kobbie Mainoo.
Instead, Ten Hag started current captain Bruno Fernandes on the right, with Mark Rashford on the opposite flank.
Christian Eriksen He has been an unused substitute in nine of United's last ten Premier League games but started in the number 10 position.
And then Anthony Martial – who has He has already been told that he will leave at the end of the season. – he alone led the line in attack.
After a cautious first half, Jack Grealish He came off the bench to put City ahead, but Fernandes swept away a controversial draw before Rashford scored the winning goal just two minutes later.
