Ten Hag ‘almost begged’ by rival manager

21 Sept 2024 11:00 BST
2 min read

Erik ten Hag, Man Utd, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was nearly begged by Barnsley boss Darrell Clarke not to increase the pain on the League One side during their midweek EFL Cup clash.

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United ran out handsome 7-0 winners over Clarke’s side, with Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Christian Eriksen each helping themselves to two goals each, while even Antony was able to score from the penalty spot as the Red Devils won at Old Trafford at a canter.

Ten Hag used a fringe Man Utd squad from the beginning of the match, including Altay Bayindir, Jonny Evans, Toby Collyer and Eriksen in the starting XI, but that did not stop the Dutchman calling for some world-class replacements from the bench.

Among the heavyweights Ten Hag used off his bench were Matthijs de Ligt, Bruno Fernandes and Joshua Zirkzee.

It was a triple change around the hour mark that really did it for Clarke, though.

“Bruno Fernandes, Joshua Zirkzee and Noussair Mazraoui coming on? I was nearly going to go and beg Erik and say, 'Come on Erik, cut us some slack, Bruno's coming on'...” Clarke joked to Radio5 Live.

Ugarte in line for Palace start

Ten Hag started Manuel Ugarte in that midweek clash, and now the Man Utd manager has confirmed the Uruguay international is ready to feature from kick-off for the first time in the Premier League.

“He’s a player very short in training sessions, now he has a start in him,” Ten Hag said.

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“In Southampton, he came in as a sub. Yeah, still, he’s in the process that he has come into the club. He has to come into the team and know what is the game, what are the principles, what are the rules, and know his team-mates.

“We know with his profile what he can contribute for his team. So yeah, we are in that process and that will take some time, but it will come, it will come in a natural way. And you can already see when he is fulfilling the process he will really be a very good player for us.”

Man Utd face Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.

Read more about: Premier League, Man Utd, Bruno Fernandes, Joshua Zirkzee, Noussair Mazraoui