A number of Manchester United players complained to coaching staff that they wanted Sunday off after the 2-1 defeat by Fulham on Saturday despite Erik ten Hag’s squad usually going in after a match day for warm‑downs and video analysis.
The request caused surprise given the insipid display and it being part of the manager’s normal routine. It was rejected by staff, who reminded the players of their commitments, with Ten Hag thought to be unaware.
In November the Guardian revealed that a section of United’s players believed the team’s poor start was down to Ten Hag overworking the squad in pre-season. They complained of beginning the campaign feeling as tired as when they finished the previous one.
The defeat by Fulham ended a run of five consecutive wins, United’s best sequence of an uneven campaign. Ten Hag is under particular scrutiny following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s 27.7% buy-in and with the side being sixth, eight points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.
The Ineos owner is conducting a structural review. He has made significant moves by hiring Omar Berrada to become chief executive and moving to take Dan Ashworth from Newcastle to replace John Murtough to lead the football department. It is expected Murtough will be offered a new role and will consider whether to accept it.
Ten Hag claimed before the FA Cup fifth-round tie at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday that Jamie Carragher was biased when assessing his management after the pundit’s comments on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football. Carragher claimed United’s defending at the start of the Fulham game was unlike any he had seen. Ten Hag said: “First of all, some analysts are very objective in their comments [and offer] very good advice; some are very subjective. Jamie Carragher from the first moment has criticised and now he wants to make his point.”
Ten Hag did agree, though, with Carragher. “Probably in the first half an hour, yeah, he had a point. Fulham in their midfield set up a little bit surprising and then we have to find the solutions.”
The Dutchman offered Antony support after preferring the 19‑year‑old Omari Forson to start on the right wing against Fulham.
“Antony: I backed him for a long time,” he said. “I know his abilities, great abilities. I know from the past he is unstoppable, no defender can stop him because he’s one of the quickest in the first 10 yards. I’m sure he will perform. He is resilient, he is a character and he will fight back and I back him and he now has to wait for his chance and once he is there he has to pick up [his form].”
Harry Maguire will miss the Forest game because of injury and Bruno Fernandes and Raphaël Varane are doubtful.
