Erik ten Hag has urged Manchester United to push for a “really successful season” by claiming the FA Cup, Europa League and a top-four finish in a charge boosted by the imminent return of Christian Eriksen and Casemiro.
Ten Hag’s side have won the Carabao Cup and are fourth as they host Everton on Saturday, before welcoming Sevilla for Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final opening leg. On 23 April they face Brighton in an FA Cup semi-final. United will have Eriksen, unavailable since January because of injury, in their squad on Saturday, which is the final match of Casemiro’s four-game ban.
Ten Hag said: “We have already won a cup, so we have to make it a really successful season. We have a great squad, so I am really positive to get a good final stage of the season and even more silverware. We are in the right spot: competing for the top four of the Premier League, the quarter-final of the Europa League and semi-final of the FA Cup.”
The manager spoke of the potential impact of Eriksen and Casemiro. “It is obvious and clear they are two very valuable players for us,” he said. “We all know how important the midfield department is and over several games we [have] had to find a new balance and that is not easy at this stage of the season.
“It sometimes can be trial and error, bringing new players in and into a different position. That is what we did. Against Brentford [in Wednesday’s 1-0 win], I was very pleased with the performance from the midfield because we played very well there and they did a magnificent job. I think they can progress.”
In that game Scott McTominay partnered Marcel Sabitzer in midfield and Luke Shaw was forced off with an injury Ten Hag did not want to elaborate on.
“It is personal,” he said. “I don’t think at this moment [he will be out for weeks] but we have to see how he progresses. I think he can be quite quickly back … Sometimes you underestimate this injury but Luke did quite well and knows his body. He went off at the right moment before getting more damage.”
