Erik ten Hag has warned his players that Manchester United can’t become a soft touch.
United face a make-or-break week which begins at Nottingham Forest before taking them into a Europa League showdown with Sevilla and an FA Cup semi-final date against Brighton at Wembley next weekend.
Having propelled the Reds into the top four and lifted the club’s first trophy in six years by winning the Carabao Cup, the shock of seeing Sevilla score twice in the final eight minutes to put United’s progress into a European semi-final in doubt has prompted Ten Hag to order his men to toughen up.
“We are all human beings and can make mistakes, but we have to avoid making too many,” said Ten Hag. “Certain players now have to step up to take the team and control the standards.
“I can only talk about negatives from the Sevilla game. We played some quite good football but you then have to manage the game. If you want to win trophies, you have to be smart. You have to stick to the plan and not allow an opponent to get back in the game.
“The players have to be aware that a game is over 95 or so minutes - and, yes, we still have a way to go. I am fully aware of it, but the team has to know. We need leaders in such moments.
“In many games I have seen that we have the passion and desire to bring tough games over the line. Against Seville, I didn’t see that. The team can definitely learn from it. We will talk about it and how we can avoid it in the future.”
United’s squad is being stretched to breaking point at the business end of the season. Top-scorer Marcus Rashford is sidelined by a groin injury and Anthony Martial’s fitness issues mean that the Frenchman has to be nursed through games.
Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are out after being crocked against Sevilla. And Ten Hag is also without Luke Shaw, Scott McTominay and Alejandro Garnacho. But Ten Hag does not want to give his players any excuses.
United coped when Casemiro and Christian Eriksen were suspended and injured for extended spells recently. And Ten Hag said: “All clubs have to deal with having key players missing.
“Of course, you always want to play your best, especially when you are in the final stages of the season. But when they are not available, others have to do it - and I think we proved it when they are not there.
“It is also the case that when players drop out others have to take over and take the responsibility. But if players are dropping out, then sometimes you do have to make compromises.”
Ten Hag was banking on Martial filling the void when United forced him to go into his first season at Old Trafford without signing a new striker. The Dutchman made it clear that Martial can have a future at the club next season - if he can stay out of the treatment room.
Ten Hag added: “It’s difficult to say with Anthony because his history says differently. I want him to be here because I think he's a great player. He definitely has the qualities to play in top football - and when he is fit our team play better. From my point of view, yes, I would like him here.”
