Erik ten Hag says Luke Shaw and Rasmus Hojlund are not fit enough to face Southampton | OneFootball

Erik ten Hag says Luke Shaw and Rasmus Hojlund have not progressed enough to make the squad to play in Manchester United’s next game.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to face Southampton in the Premier League, Ten Hag confirmed that the pair are “progressing very well but not ready”.

Manuel Ugarte could make his debut.

“Manuel Ugarte, you will have seen he played for Uruguay, he returned this afternoon [Thursday], he was the only player who returned today, the rest yesterday, so he is available for this game,” Ten Hag said.

The manager also had a little dig back at Cristiano Ronaldo, who once again criticised the Dutchman in an interview with Rio Ferdinand this week.

“He said that Manchester United can’t win the Premier League. He said this if you read the article very well. He’s far away in Saudi, far away from Manchester. Everyone can have an opinion. It’s okay,” the boss remarked.

Asked about the pressure on his position as manager after a poor start to the season, Ten Hag replied:

“We will see where we are in May. It is very early in the season and it is about winning trophies, being as high as possible in the league, do everything to win every game.

“I know in the process where we are and what we have to do, where we are going. I have said before we are still in a transition period. We have to integrate a lot of young players in the team. We still have to deal with injuries and bring players back into the team.

“Before anyone thinks about excuses, no, we have to win every game. I know that. The team knows that and it doesn’t matter who is available. We will focus on every game and approach it with the mindset that we have to win.

Asked to comment on Diogo Dalot’s recent comments about the team’s form, Ten Hag said “when you see scores, no one is happy. But the players have a very good sense of the process, and the quality of the process. I agree with him [Dalot].

“When you analyse all the games so far, we are in a good direction. But also, what is normal in a transition period and when we’re building the team is that we have to step up.”

Asked about the difference between this season and last, the manager responded “we have good characters and you can feel the team spirit. Now is about getting the patterns and routines in. Once we have that everyone sees the quality we have on the training pitch.”

Finally, Ten Hag was asked if the game against Southampton is a must-win.

“We have to win every game,” he replied.

United’s match at St Mary’s kicks off at 12:30pm on Saturday.

The embargoed section of today’s presser will be covered here tomorrow evening at 10.30pm.

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