They are all finals in the run-in, says Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag
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Manchester United's Antony celebrates scoring their first goal with Jadon Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON – With his Manchester United side still in the thick of three different races and in the midst of a gruelling stretch of games, manager Erik ten Hag said he will not prioritise one competition over another.
“We approach this game by game. What can we do?” ten Hag said after Sunday’s 2-0 English Premier League victory over Nottingham Forest.
“We have to win. We are United. We have to win every game.”
United’s victory over Steve Cooper’s relegation-threatened Forest at the City Ground propelled them into third to strengthen their grip on a top-four Premier League finish.
The match was also sandwiched between both legs of their Europa League quarter-final tie against Sevilla. After a 2-2 draw in the first leg, United head to Seville for the return on Thursday.
They then play Brighton & Hove Albion at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday.
“The points are getting more expensive during this period of the season, because they are all finals. They are really battling against relegation, or they go for the top, so you have to really fight for every point,” ten Hag said.
Adding to the challenge of their breathless schedule is a spate of injuries. United, who were already missing forward Marcus Rashford and defenders Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez, lost midfielder Marcel Sabitzer on Sunday when he injured his groin in the warm-up.
“Sabitzer came off in the warm-up. He felt something. We decided not to take the risk. But when you have (Christian) Eriksen on the bench, it is definitely not a disadvantage,” the manager said.
“Last week I had nine fit top defenders, now I have four. We need all our players. We are still in three competitions.”
United have already passed last season’s Premier League points total, with 59 from 30 games, with eight games still to play.
Diogo Dalot, who netted his first Premier League goal in his 100th appearance in all competitions for United on Sunday, said his team face a “big week”. Antony scored the Red Devils’ other goal.
“Two decisive games, we want to be in position to fight for trophies,” he said.
“Now we have a chance to get close to a final, and to get to a final. Hopefully we win both games.”
Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot celebrates scoring their second goal.
They have already hoisted one trophy this season, winning the League Cup in late February.
Meanwhile, Forest remain in the bottom three and are in serious danger of returning to the Championship after just one season in the English top flight.
However, former United and Forest midfielder Roy Keane told Sky Sports: “As poor as they were today, they’re still on the verge of having a brilliant season.
“If they can finish fourth from bottom, survival for Forest would be amazing considering what they’ve been through, what’s going on in the background, the amount of players that have come into the club, the poor run they’re on now.” REUTERS, AFP
