- Erik ten Hag has more central defenders available to face Manchester City
- Injuries and poor form have plagued his back line in a dismal campaign
- IAN LADYMAN: Arsenal will win the Premier League next season – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off! podcast
Erik ten Hag has admitted his relief that Manchester United’s ‘nightmare’ centre back problems have eased significantly on the eve of the FA Cup final.
United have been beset by injuries at the back this season and they were left at one stage with just one fit senior centre back to choose from.
In the 2-0 win over Brighton at the Amex Stadium, Ten Hag was able to hand Lisandro Martinez his first start since February 4, while Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans both got minutes off the bench.
With hope that Harry Maguire is also in contention to return in time for the Wembley showpiece next week, Ten Hag cut a relieved man on Sunday night.
‘Our centre half position was a nightmare across the season!’ Ten Hag said.
Erik ten Hag claims his ‘nightmare’ centre-back problems have eased ahead of the FA Cup final
Lisandro Martinez made his first start since February 4 while Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans got minutes off the bench against Brighton
‘If you want results, one of the foundations of a good team is a partnership of good centre-halves and we didn’t have [that].
‘I’m glad we have something to choose and we have to think, of course, about quality but also about fitness levels, where they are? Probably we need more than two next week.’
Another dilemma on Ten Hag’s hands is how to set-up against City given he has adopted a false-nine system with £72million striker Rasmus Hojlund dropped to the bench for the past two games.
Hojlund has come on against both Newcastle and Brighton and scored, leaving Ten Hag with a decision about whether to stick to his guns with Bruno Fernandes up top.
‘It’s a luxury problem, huh? I think both formations can be a success because, as you know, we can play the set-up in the Etihad where we were a threat, I think, with movement in behind.
‘But with Rasmus Hojlund in this form it’s absolutely a consideration and a thought for us to consider. Let’s have the thought.
‘I also want to say that you need not only 11 players in a final, a tough final, but a bench as well.’
On Hojlund, whose goal here made it 16 for the campaign, there is even more to come, insists Ten Hag.
Man United will face Man City in the FA Cup final in a repeat of last season’s clash
Ten Hag has to consider what to do with Rsmus Hojlund, who has scored 16 goals this season
‘It could always be better but don’t forget he had three injuries this season,’ he said.
‘He came in with an injury, missed the start, then he got injured before winter and got an injury after winter which every time has broken his rhythm.
‘If you shoot 16 goals for a first season it’s OK and it’s not over, we have to play the FA Cup final.’
