Man United players not assured of starting spot – Erik ten Hag

Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag has warned his players they can not afford to take their place for granted due to intense competition within the squad. The Red Devils have added players like Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, and Noussair Mazraoui over the summer.

It is reported that Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte could also join the Old Trafford-based club before the transfer deadline.

Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho had failed to make the squad in a 1-0 win against Fulham. Joshua Zirkzee had scored in the 87th minute of the game for Erik Ten Hag’s team.

“We have a squad and I hope we will have a squad with double positioning and when we go into the season, that means also you can’t select all the players for a game, but you need them all throughout the season because this season will be the survival of the fittest,” Ten Hag told a news conference on Thursday.

“We have to manage it, but also the attitude of the players is very important, sometimes they will be disappointed, but they have to deal with it.

“You don’t win with 11. You win with a squad. The prizes are decided next May and until then we need all the players in the squad and highly motivated to contribute.

“That is not an expectation, that is a demand from the club and from me as manager to the squad. The team is always more important than any one individual.”

Ten Hag revealed that United is further looking to strengthen their squad by adding Manuel Ugarte to the team.

“We will always try to make the best squad possible,” the Dutchman said. “We have a couple of days and as long as we have the opportunity we will look for it.

“We know as a club we have to catch up but it shows our ambition, the way we want to go. We have done good business, very good players, quality players who will add and contribute to our squad.”

United will next take on Brighton at the Falmer Stadium on Saturday.