WATCH: Erik ten Hag says United’s injury crisis this season has been a ‘nightmare’ | OneFootball

Erik ten Hag says he now has the luxury of selecting players following the return of some key personnel during the 2-0 win over Brighton.

United have been hampered by injuries all season with the club having reported over 60 cases of injury or illness related incidents. Ten Hag enjoyed the luxury of having the likes of Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford and the departing Raphael Varane to bring off the bench, with all three substitutions having an impact on the game.

United ended the season in eight place in the table which makes it their worst league finish in the Premier League era. Attention now turns to the FA Cup final against Premier League champions at Wembley next weekend.

Ten Hag said: “In the first half, we were not 100 per cent in control. At half-time, we made some changes and then the second half was much better. Defending, organisation, pressing was better, but also in possession, we kept the ball better and made good movements in behind.”

On Hojlund’s impact and playing with a false No 9: “The manager and the coaching team have luxury problems, which is good. Both formations [with or without a false No 9] can be a success.

“We can play how we set up at the Etihad where we were a threat with the movement in behind. But with Rasmus Hojlund in this form, it’s absolutely a consideration that we have to take. But we not only need 11 players, we need a bench as well.”