Monthly Archives: April 2023

Ten Hag Will Not Give Man City An Easy Path

LONDON: Erik ten Hag has vowed that Manchester United will give everything to prevent Manchester City equaling the treble achieved by his club after beating Brighton to set up the final against their closest rivals.

United won 7-6 on penalties at Wembley last night after a goalless draw, with defender Victor Lindelof slotting home the winning penalty.

The win overcame their midweek Europa League disappointment which saw them lose 3-0 at the hands of Sevilla in the quarter-finals and lose 5-2 on aggregate.

However, the team must find more advantages in the FA Cup final scheduled to take place on June 3 if they want to beat City who are chasing the Champions League, English Premier League (EPL) and FA Cup treble.

City are favorites to win all three trophies this season after showing excellent form in recent weeks.

United were on course for a treble before losing in Spain on Thursday but they are still chasing a domestic double after winning the League Cup in February to end a six-year title drought.

United’s manager, Ten Hag clearly praised his team’s ability to show revival.

“First of all we have a physical, strong, strong mentality, so we show the character and personality needed… we are determined to win this match,” he said.

But the Dutchman says his squad will have to learn to change scripts when games get tough – they have lost a handful of games this season including losing 6-3 at City and 7-0 to Liverpool.

“What we have proven is that we can deal with disappointment, we can bounce back between games,” he said. “But now, what we need to improve is to bounce back in tough games, away stadiums – no matter what, we have to show personality.”

United remain the only English club to win the treble completing the feat under former manager Alex Ferguson in 1999.

They prevented Liverpool from winning all three trophies in 1977 by winning the FA Cup in the same year.

Meanwhile, Ten Hag jokingly said he would not reveal the ‘key’ to beating City, who lost 2-1 at Old Trafford in January.

“I won’t tell you,” he said. “I’ll keep it to myself.”

Mane Returns To Strengthen Bayern Munich

MUNICH: Thomas Tuchel confirmed Sadio Mane will be with the Bayern Munich squad for their European Champions League quarter-final tie against Manchester City on Wednesday.

The Senegal star was suspended for one match for punching team-mate Leroy Sane in the dressing room during the 3-0 defeat at the hands of City in the first leg.

Sane’s lips are swollen and bruised but Tuchel insists the issue is completely resolved.

“Sadio Mane will be in the squad on Wednesday. He has apologised. It is no longer an issue,” said Tuchel.

Bayern left Mane out of the squad for Saturday’s Bundesliga clash with Hoffenheim, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Bayern face a difficult task when they host City at the Allianz Arena after the Premier League club dominated the first leg at the Etihad Stadium.

Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland found the target to provide a comfortable supply for City ahead of action in Munich.

Manchester United Meets Sevilla Without Rashford

LONDON: Manchester United are plagued by the problem of injuries to key players ahead of the first quarter-final of the Europa League against Sevilla, early this Friday morning.

United will visit the Spanish club most likely without the services of their top scorer Marcus Rashford who has a groin injury.

Rashford was at the peak of his form scoring 28 goals in all competitions but he had to be taken off as the team cruised to a 2-0 win over Everton yesterday.

Manchester United manager, Erik Ten Hag, when asked about the injury status of his hamstring, admitted that the initial assessment found that it was not very good for Rashford.

“We have to wait but it doesn’t look good. Again, it’s due to the tight (match) schedule.

“It can’t be just you playing for three games in six days. We have to protect our players,” said Ten Hag.

If Rashford is ruled out, Ten Hag is expected to risk ex-Sevilla loanee Anthony Martial to take over the striker’s place.

Martial spent six months with Sevilla in the second half of the 2021/2022 season, scoring just one goal in 12 appearances.