Ten Hag – Manchester United ‘still have to win’ games without Casemiro and Christian Eriksen

Erik ten Hag has stressed that Manchester United “still have to win” games even when they are missing important players.

They have subsequently fallen out of the top four, although they are level on points with fourth-placed Tottenham, who they have two games in hand over. A win over Brentford on Wednesday could see them climb as high as third.

“They are two quality players,” Ten Hag said on the suspended Casemiro and the injured Eriksen.

Casemiro is currently serving a four-match ban and is due to return on April 15, meaning he will miss the visit of Brentford, and the game will also come too soon for Eriksen, who has just returned to first team training following ankle ligament damage.

“You know, the midfield department, games will be decided always in the midfield. So when you miss two quality players, it’s clear,” Ten Hag continued.

“But you have a squad, and when you don’t have them, you still have to win.”

While United’s league form has dipped in recent weeks, the team have continued to progress in cup competitions, booking a place in the FA Cup semi-final and the Europa League quarter-final.

And with several crucial league games coming up, Ten Hag is keeping the faith.

“We played 60 minutes against Southampton with 10 men, we beat Fulham (in the FA Cup), that’s a Premier League opponent,” he said.

“We beat Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, another Premier League opponent. So we’re not concerned. We know we can beat Premier League teams.”

Ten Hag is also pleased that defender Luke Shaw has signed a new four-year contract that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2027.

He stated: “I think it is a good message. An England international, he is doing really well this season.

“Really happy with him, I think he is a modern left full-back, but can play also other positions, left centre-back.

“He matches absolute the standards we want to have, so it’s a very good message.”