Erik ten Hag warns Manchester United against complacency

LONDON – Manchester United cannot afford to become complacent as they look to end their campaign by securing a spot in next season’s Champions League, manager Erik ten Hag said on Wednesday.

The Dutchman, who led United to their first silverware since 2017 when they won the League Cup in February, warned his team not to ease up in their bid to earn a place in Europe’s elite club competition.

United are fourth in the Premier League, seven points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool who have played a game more.

Ten Hag’s team have six league games left, starting with Thursday’s trip to Brighton & Hove Albion, before facing Manchester City in the June 3 FA Cup final.

“Satisfaction can lead to laziness. We have six games to go and we want to win every game. You need full focus, full energy and full preparation,” he said.

“We have to get ready for the fight to get the points. We want to win every game, we want to win every competition.

“It’s clear we want to be in the Champions League, and that’s the competition we’re now fighting for.

“Good isn’t good enough; we have to do better.”

United beat Brighton on penalties in the FA Cup semi-finals in April, and ten Hag acknowledged that Roberto de Zerbi’s men would be fired up by the thought of revenge.

“They have a huge motivation to beat us but we have to match that and do more, show more hunger than them to win this game and willingness is the word for tomorrow,” he said.

Young winger Alejandro Garnacho is still nursing an ankle injury but is back in training while defender Raphael Varane and midfielder Scott McTominay will be unavailable for at least two more games.

Garnacho has had a breakout season and has been rewarded with a new contract until 2028.

His Dutch coach warned that expectations on him will now be higher and he challenged the Argentinian to cement a starting spot.

Said ten Hag: “It’s great he made it because it shows that we give young players opportunities, but they have to deserve it...

“Now the demands will be even more because he has to compete for a starting XI position.”

De Zerbi, meanwhile, cancelled his press conference due to illness and it is uncertain whether he will be on the touchline on Thursday.

His assistant Andrea Maldera took training in the 43-year-old’s absence.

The Seagulls have won their last two league games against United but their own teenage star attacker Evan Ferguson is likely to still be unavailable owing to injury.

Jakub Moder, Tariq Lamptey, Jeremy Sarmiento and Adam Lallana are all also set to miss out while Joel Veltman is a doubt. REUTERS, AFP