Erik ten Hag wants injured Man Utd stars to play through the pain and avoid a massacre by Arsenal
ERIK TEN HAG wants his walking wounded to play through the pain and avoid a massacre by Arsenal.
The Manchester United boss welcomed back Marcus Rashford to training on Friday ahead of Sunday’s clash with the title-chasing Gunners.
ETH hopes his stars will be more ";robust" and put up their hands for selection when he assembles his struggling squad on Saturday morning unless they have a serious injury.
The Red Devils were hammered 4-0 at Crystal Palace on Monday and now face a rampant Arsenal side who are the Premier League’s top scorers with 88 goals.
United have had 64 separate cases of injury and illness this term.
Even Bruno Fernandes missed his first United game through injury at Palace.
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Ten Hag had a double boost yesterday with Rashford and centre-back Lisandro Martinez back in training.
But Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, Willy Kambwala, Tyrell Malacia, Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial all are expected to remain on the sidelines.
United are eighth in the Prem and their best hope of qualifying for Europe next season is by beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
Red Devils legend David Beckham says Ten Hag remains a “good manager” — and should not need to fire up his stars.
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Speaking to talkSPORT at the premiere of ‘99’, a new documentary on Amazon about United’s Treble success 25 years ago, Beckham said:“Whether it’s a regular season game or an FA Cup final against your rivals, then that should be enough motivation.
“If it’s not, you’re in the wrong team and you’re playing the wrong sport.”
The Printworks, venue for the premiere, avoided potential embarrassment by covering up a huge poster of City striker Erling Haaland that was hanging over the entrance.
Gary Neville, Teddy Sheringham, Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole were among the other stars in attendance.
SunSport's verdict on Man Utd flops
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have a busy summer ahead to get Man Utd's squad in order for next season. Below SunSport gives it verdict on how they should deal with the Red Devils flops this summer.
Andre Onana - STAY: After a dodgy start at Old Trafford Onana has proven to be one of the more reliable members of the squad this season despite being peppered with shots constantly.
Altay Bayindir - GO: Reports in February suggested Bayindir was unhappy with his bit part role at Man Utd amid interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray. If profit can be made on a sale then it should be done.
Tom Heaton - STAY: Veteran goalkeeper Heaton, 38, is a reliable back-up and is on a relatively small wage at the club. So long as he is happy it makes sense to keep him.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka - GO: Wan-Bissaka, 26, has never managed to make the right-back position his own. With his contract up in 2025 it makes sense to cash in now.
Diogo Dalot - STAY: Dalot, 26, has been one of Man Utd's most consistent performers this season.
Raphael Varane - GO: If it wasn't for his injury record there would be a strong shout to keep Varane, but costs need to be cut to allow the squad to be freshened up.
Harry Maguire - GO: Maguire has showed he has the right character to be at Man Utd but overall ability and desired profile are another matter, with Maguire too slow to play in a high line defence.
Lisandro Martinez - STAY: Martinez, 26, is second to none in terms of build up play. He needs a long-term defensive partner on the right side and to cut out the injuries which have plagued him this season.
Jonny Evans - GO: Veteran campaigner Evans could easily be on the stay list if he was only going to be a bit part player. But he has shown his advanced years at times this season.
Victor Lindelof - GO: Lindelof, 29, has been reliable if not unremarkable in his Man Utd career. He has one year left on his contract so should be moved on if a decent transfer fee can be got for him.
Willy Kambwala - STAY: He should be given the opportunity to mature for a few years behind a senior CB pairing before stepping into the first team as a starter or being moved on.
Luke Shaw - GO: One of the Premier League's best left-backs when fit, Shaw has been a good servant when available. But alas that has been his Achilles heel once again this season.
Tyrell Malacia - STAY: Malacia, 24, was decent enough to earn some merit in his first season at Man Utd before injury ended his season and inadvertently led to his second season being a write off.
Sofyan Amrabat - GO: Amrabat, 27, looked like a world beater at the Qatar World Cup with Morocco. But he's had an underwhelming season in England and his loan spell will almost certainly not be made permanent.
Casemiro - GO: An alarming physical decline has seen him turn from key star to burden. If a club is willing to buy the 32-year-old - who has two more years on his contract - then United should snatch their hand off.
Christian Eriksen - GO: Eriksen proved a useful asset and Ineos should look to bring in another player with similar traits, but frankly his legs have looked gone towards the end of this season.
Kobbie Mainoo - STAY: The first of the so-called untouchables, Mainoo has been a rare glimmer of hope in the Red Devils midfield this season.
Mason Mount - STAY: Mount can be given the benefit of the doubt until summer 2025 at least after a debut season riddled with injury.
Scott McTominay - STAY: McTominay, 27, has proven himself to be a brilliant plan B off the bench this season, and that is exactly why Ineos should look to keep him.
Bruno Fernandes - STAY: Man Utd's best player since his arrival just over four years ago, Fernandes, 29, remains second-to-none when it comes to creating chances while his tenacity boosts those around him.
Antony - GO: There's a case to argue that Antony may be the worst pound-for-pound signing in Premier League history. Despite some memorable moments he simply isn't Man Utd quality.
Anthony Martial - GO: Ultimately Martial needs to be let go when his deal runs out this summer after an appalling injury record of late.
Marcus Rashford - STAY: As easy as it would be to say Rashford should leave the club this summer, it is difficult to look at the market and find many available players capable of scoring 30 goals a season.
Alejandro Garnacho - STAY: Another third of the untouchables trio, Garnacho has made the right-wing his own since coming into it. He's a raw talent but has shown he has the quality to improve.
Rasmus Hojlund - STAY: A slow burner in his first Man Utd season, the 21-year-old has often been starved of supply which has led to him being unable to get the goals his movement and unselfish play often merits.
Amad Diallo - STAY: In the fleeting moments he has been on the pitch for Man Utd this season, Diallo has looked dangerous and exciting. He should be given a chance to flourish with some proper chances in the first team across a whole season.