Ten Hag Insists Man United Players Should Welcome Competition for Positions
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has made it clear that his players must embrace the competition for places in the squad, emphasising that coping with the disappointment of not being selected is part of being at a top club.
Speaking about his squad plans ahead of their away match against Brighton and Hove at the Amex, Ten Hag stated that he aims to have two players available for each position by the end of the transfer window.
This depth will inevitably mean some players will face the frustration of being left out of the starting lineup. However, Ten Hag believes that such competition is crucial for the team's success.
"But you need them all throughout the season because this season will be the survival of the fittest," Ten Hag said. "The attitude of the players is very important. Sometimes they will be disappointed, but they have to deal with it."
The United boss stressed that winning is not about having a perfect starting eleven but about the strength and unity of the entire squad.
"You don’t win with 11 [players], you win with a squad. The prizes are decided next May and until then we need all the players in the squad highly motivated to contribute," Ten Hag explained.
Ten Hag also highlighted that maintaining motivation across the squad is not just a hope but a requirement. "That is not an expectation, that is a demand from the club and from me as manager of the squad," he said. "The team is always more important than any one individual."
As United look to compete on multiple fronts this season, Ten Hag's focus on squad depth and player mentality underlines his commitment to ensuring that every member of his squad is prepared to step up when called upon, unlike last season when some players were below par. The jury is still out on the United boss and his players, with fans keen to see how things pan out.
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