Erik ten Hag shows his compassionate side with gesture as Manchester United youngster is stretchered off during pre-season
Erik ten Hag came on to the pitch to console Manchester United youngster Will Fish as he was carried off on a stretcher.
United they were playing Liverpool in a preseason friendly in Columbia, South Carolina, losing 3-0 with goals from Fabio Carvalho, Curtis Jones and Kostas Tsimikas.
But there were further injury problems for the Red Devils as Fish had to be stretchered off at the Williams-Brice Stadium following a collision with Liverpool youngster Harvey Blair.
The 21-year-old looked devastated after coming off the challenge badly and needed a stretcher to help him off the field.
Ten Hag was so concerned about the defender that he came off the bench to check on the player.
The Dutchman then comforted the youngster as he lay on the ground.
This pre-season tour of the United States has brought one problem after another for the club.
Summer signings Leny Yoro He suffered a serious injury on his debut for the club following his £52m move from Lille, which has ruled him out out for three months.
Rasmus Hojlund He has also been ruled out for a significant period of time due to issues with Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans, as well as Marcus Rashford and Antony earlier in the summer.
Ten Hag told MUTV: “We always have to look at what's happened. The assessment, of course, with Will Fish is that it's an impact injury.
“We also had to substitute Jonny Evans at half-time because he was ill. Victor Lindelof (went) out as a precaution. So, yes, there are some injuries, but we have to see how serious it will be.”
Fish was keen to face Liverpool and saw it as a chance to make his case for a first-team place, having also featured in United's 3-2 win over Real Betis earlier this summer.
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“You know, you're at one of the best clubs in the world,” he told MUTV.
“And being here in the States is a surreal experience. So you take each day as it comes and do the best you can. That's all you can do.
“People who know me know that this is how I approach life. I don't get too proud or too downhearted, and I think that sometimes helps in football.
“Sometimes, obviously, you need to be more prepared and, you know, in times like that, I can be.
“But I try not to think about it too much and just take each day as it comes.”
United's pre-season tour has come to an end as they prepare to return to England.
They face each other Manchester City next Saturday at Wembley in the Community Shield before their Premier League season begins on August 16 against Fulham.
