Erik ten Hag has said sealing Champions League qualification is a test of Manchester United’s courage and demanded that he and his players finish the job.
United are fourth with 63 points, one point ahead of Liverpool with a game in hand. Ten Hag has confidence in his side but said as he prepared for Wolves’ visit on Saturday that strong nerve was needed.
“Top football it is always a test,” the manager said. “We can take confidence and belief because we have proven we’ve beaten the best teams in the world. But yes, it’s a test of courage if we can do it because we are in the right position and we have to finish it. It’s a high demand, so it needs high standards so definitely needs courage. The players and I need to take responsibility for it.”
With Liverpool being United’s greatest rival Ten Hag understands how important it is to fans that his team do not allow Jürgen Klopp’s side to take a top-four place at their expense. “We have everything in our hands,” he said. “We have to bring our performance.”
United have lost their past two league matches because of individual errors. The 1-0 defeat at Brighton occurred after Luke Shaw conceded a penalty for a handball he could have avoided. David de Gea was culpable for last Sunday’s 1-0 reverse at West Ham after allowing Saïd Benrahma’s long-range shot past him.
Ten Hag said of De Gea: “We can’t ignore it but individual mistakes are part of football and there was in the Brighton game also a big individual mistake. Sometimes it’s happening; it shouldn’t happen. When you are in the right focus it will not happen. That is part of the reset of this week.”
Ten Hag said De Gea having yet to agree a new contract was not responsible for his slip in concentration. “As a top football player you have such circumstances and have to deal with it. You have to accept it and the demand is you have to perform. I don’t think that’s the reason, because David is so experienced. I can think about a thousand and one reasons but I don’t think that’s the reason.”
United’s top scorer, Marcus Rashford, is a serious doubt because of a leg injury but Raphaël Varane is available again after a foot injury sustained against Sevilla on 13 April. “He’s a big question mark,” Ten Hag said of Rashford.
