Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag sternly reminded World Cup winner Lisandro Martinez that the Premier League is back as the Argentine celebrates his team’s triumph in the tournament.
Ten Hag spoke to the press ahead of Tuesday’s clash against Nottingham Forest.
Against Burnley in the Carabao Cup, Ten Hag was without the services of Raphael Varane and Martinez after their World Cup run went all the way to the final.
This forced the hand of the coach, who had to play Casemiro as a makeshift central defender, a role in which the Brazilian excelled enormously.
Ten Hag revealed that he expects Varane and Martinez to return to action soon, but declined to reveal if they would be available against Forest.
Ten Hag said, “I can’t answer that question now. [whether Martinez will be back].
“He’s still celebrating now in Buenos Aires now, driving around in the touring car! Walking around Buenos Aires and I can understand it, it is very emotional when you achieve this World Cup success in your country.
“It’s magnificent, it’s the highest you can reach [in football]. Licha also has to understand that the Premier League returns on December 27!”
The Dutch coach added: “He [Varane] he is disappointed, as anyone would be after losing the World Cup final. I think he can be proud too. [to have played] again in the final, with everything he has achieved in his football career”.
Ten Hag also provided an update on English duo Harry Maguire and Jadon Sancho. The United manager said Sancho will not be available, an indication that he is still continuing his personal training programme.
Maguire is still ill and it is unclear if he will be available for selection against Steve Cooper’s men. Ten Hag insisted that the United captain is in a race against time to be fit for Tuesday. He is pending a decision on his participation.
Ten Hag was questioned about his ambitions during the second half of the season. He admitted that he was under immense pressure to achieve a Champions League final, but admitted that other managers experienced the same thing.
He replied that he enjoys pressure and uses it as a motivating factor.
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