Erik ten Hag rallies his injury stricken and says they must be willing to ‘SUFFER’ to get better of Everton… but Man United boss slams crammed fixture schedule claiming ‘we are across the limits players can handle’

Erik ten Hag says injury-hit Manchester United will have to ‘suffer’ to overcome four potentially season-defining matches in 11 days, starting at Goodison Park on Sunday.

Ten Hag’s appeal to show fight comes as they face games against Everton, Galatasaray, Newcastle and Chelsea with a significant casualty list.

Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Jonny Evans, Christian Eriksen and Amad Diallo are long-term injuries, while Mason Mount, Rasmus Hojlund and Tyrell Malacia are major doubts for the match.

Luke Shaw returns to the squad but has not played since August, while Jadon Sancho continues to be excluded from the first-team picture after falling out with the manager. 

Ten Hag blames a crippling fixture list for United’s woes and believes the remaining players have to fight through the pain barrier. The Dutchman also believes a testing training schedule has been necessary, despite the list of crocks.

Sunday’s trip to Everton comes with their injury list growing, with several key stars, including Casemiro (pictured with Erik ten Hag), unavailable for their trip to Goodison Park

United will be without Lisandro Martinez on Sunday as Argentine remains a long-term injury

‘We played the most games across Europe last year when it was a weird season with the World Cup in the middle,’ he said. 

‘All the managers have complained about the schedule, but each year they add games. We are already across the limits players can handle.

‘You have a choice to make. Either you match the schedule and prepare for it, or you drop off. Every top player and team knows you have to suffer and sacrifice.

‘If you want to get prepared for games, you have to go to certain physical levels to match those standards set by the opponent.’

They will be buoyed by the return of defender Luke Shaw, who has not played since August

After Sunday’s trip to Goodison, United travel to Turkey knowing defeat there on Wednesday would end their Champions League hopes. 

The manager’s message, however, is that if his players show the required work-rate, they have the quality to win any match.

‘Injuries mean changes and many of the routines are not working 100 per cent, but we can make sure to build the foundations by running harder, covering and having quick reactions, because our players have a lot of skill and ability. 

‘If we’re in the fight and have a clear and bright mindset, we will do brilliant things because our players are capable of doing that.’

United face a tough opponent in Everton, with their fans set to turn Goodison Park into a bearpit on Sunday after they were docked 10 points by the Premier League last week