Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag, has responded to claims made by club legend Wayne Rooney regarding the current injury situation at Old Trafford. Rooney suggested that some of the sidelined players are fit enough to play but are choosing not to.
Ten Hag defended his injured players against these allegations, insisting they are doing everything possible to return to action as quickly as they can. Manchester United's season has been significantly impacted by injuries, with 10 players currently unavailable for selection. This comes ahead of Wednesday night's game against Newcastle at Old Trafford.
Many big names have been missing lately for United
Rooney, who holds the record for most goals scored for United, claimed that some of these injured players could play but were saving themselves for key upcoming fixtures such as the FA Cup final and Euro 2024. However, Ten Hag dismissed these claims outrightly.
Erik ten Hag, Manchester United manager, said:
"All of my injured players are doing everything they can to get back playing as quickly as possible."
“I think you have to see here in Carrington the players are desperate to play, I see Licha Martinez, I see Bruno Fernandes - he did a fitness test on Sunday to play. Marcus Rashford did everything he could do.
“He trained and tried to train last week, but he didn't make it. Players are desperate to play, they want to be in the right shape. You see also Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane, they are training to make themselves available for the final. They do what they can do.”
Martinez to make long-awaited return in final game
In terms of player availability updates from Ten Hag himself; he expects defender Martinez - who has only managed 11 appearances this season due to injury - will be back in the matchday squad on Wednesday for the Newcastle United match.
Erik ten Hag, added:
"Licha Martinez, I think he will return to the squad, He has had some sessions with us and we plan for him to be available.
"If everything goes right in the training, he will return to the squad. For some other players - Rashford, Bruno, Willy Kambwala – we have to see if they are fit enough. We plan for Varane, definitely for the last games. Not Newcastle, but we hope for Sunday and then, of course, for the last game of the season, the FA Cup final.”
Additionally, Rapahel Varane could make a return in Sunday's final league game of the season at Brighton. This news comes after Varane announced his decision earlier this week that he will leave Manchester United at the end of this season.
The war-of-words between Erik ten Hag and Wayne Rooney adds an extra layer of intrigue ahead of Manchester United’s crucial fixtures in both domestic and international competitions. While it remains unclear whether any sidelined player is indeed fit enough yet choosing not to play; what is clear is that every available player will be needed if Manchester United hopes to finish their challenging season on a high note.
