Erik ten Hag strives for balance against Brighton and Hove Albion | OneFootball

Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag, has stressed the difficulty in finding the balance between not rushing players back but also putting out the most competitive team possible against Brighton and Hove Albion.

The 2023/2024 Premier League has certainly been one of the most challenging for fans of the club as they have slipped down the table and they have been on the wrong side of some horrendous results.

The club sit on a goal difference of minus three after 37 games and currently occupy eighth place in the table before the final round of fixtures take place later on this afternoon.

However, the fans have stuck loyally to the team and this was on show in the terrific atmospheres at Old Trafford for both games against Arsenal and Newcastle United.

An even greater example was the hoard of United fans that travelled to London on a bank holiday Monday to support their team and stayed until the end clapping the players off in spite of a lifeless 4-0 drubbing.

Speaking to the club’s official website before the crucial game against Brighton, Ten Hag commented on how important it is to foster a strong relationship between the players and the fans.

“It’s fantastic to feel that fight, to feel the strong bond between the team and the fans, and we have seen it through the whole season and in difficult moments,” he said. “They are always with us and always backing the team, they stuck with us and that is a fantastic feeling, if you can build such a strong bond.”

“We invested a lot, the fans and the team, in difficult moments. Stay with each other and you have good times, and I’m sure the good times will come. We’re building up, the fans see this and they recognise this and, of course, they count on us. We have to pay them back.”

The under-fire Dutchman also praised his side’s efforts against Newcastle on Wednesday as they were able to be victorious in their final home match of the season and keep themselves in the fight for European football down to the last day of the season.

“I think it was a good performance and we achieved good levels – as a team and individuals. As you say, we scored some great goals. It was enjoyable to watch and to give a good finish at Old Trafford but we have still two games to go to finish and the season is not over.”

Ten Hag was then asked once more to comment on the injury woes that have plagued this season.

“We have some days to go but there are players returning. They’re desperate to play any minute and, of course, definitely in the final in one week but, on Sunday, we have a very important game to play.”

He claimed that he wanted to strike a balance between not rushing players back but also putting out the strongest possible team to get the much-needed victory to pile the pressure on Newcastle at Brentford.

“We will put out a line [-up] what is strong and the strongest we have. But, at the same time, we have to find the balance, that we also try to bring players returning from injury back on the pitch.”

Ten Hag also spoke on the returning players of Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Lisandro Martinez and claimed that Bruno was the least of his concerns due to the player’s fine form this season.

“He’s (Fernandes) fresh and he’s in very good form but the others you mentioned, it’s important. They missed some games. Rashford, since Coventry, but, of course, Licha Martinez missed, I would say, almost the whole season. So every minute that he can get, we have to give him.”

The former Ajax manager, who could be managing his final league match as coach of the Red Devils, praised his opponents’ style of play but also promised United would give them problems of their own.

The Seagulls have been a tough nut to crack as of late as they have beaten United in their last four league encounters.

“We have to make sure that we are dangerous for them and we have to prepare the team very good because we know we’re playing a typical style, a style I admire. But they have also the weaknesses and we have to take benefit from the weaknesses, as you should.”

Ten Hag also spoke at the pre-match press conference about the return of three key players for the game, which coupled with the above comments could offer a hint as to his team selection today.

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