Man Utd boss Ten Hag fires warning to Fernandes and Rashford after Arsenal loss

Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, spoke about Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford, two of his injured players.

Erik ten Hag had a message for Manchester United stars Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford. (Image: Sky Sports.)

Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, has issued a warning to injured players like Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes, saying that they will not be allowed to play in the exciting Wembley match against Manchester City if they are unable to demonstrate their fitness by competing before the FA Cup final. Due to injuries, the key players were unable to participate in Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal. The Portuguese captain is also not expected to play against Newcastle this week.

Throughout the Premier League season, Ten Hag’s team has suffered more injuries than most, as evidenced by the fact that he was unable to use players like Tyrell Malacia, Anthony Martial, Raphael Varane, Mason Mount, Rashford, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, and Fernandes for the visit of Arsenal.

The Dutchman has warned the walking wounded that missing out on Wembley will be the price they must pay if they are unable to play in the final two league games. He will be hoping that a number of those important players can return before the season ends.

Ten Hag stated following Arsenal’s victory at Old Trafford, “You need the game practice and they know that if you want to go into a hard game like the cup final.”

Ten Hag stated on Friday that Fernandes was back in training, but he missed his first United match since joining the team due to injury during the team’s 4-0 thumping of Crystal Palace on Monday. Fernandes missed the match again when Arsenal visited.

Following an injury he sustained in the FA Cup semi-final against Coventry, Rashford has missed United’s last four games due to injury. While his captain was also seen in training this week, he did not play against the Gunners.

Ten Hag lamented having a far-from-fit squad to play Arsenal, implying that if he had United’s best team available more than once in his two years at Old Trafford, his job at the club would be far safer.

“I’m not sure where we should be with every player on board, but you will definitely score more points if every player is on board,” he continued.

“A manager can always improve, but in my two years here, I have only managed to have a full squad of players once. As we are trying to do, it is similar to swimming with your hands behind your back in that you have to keep your head up and above the water. Without these crucial areas, a team cannot advance.

“Even though we are still in the cup final, fit players are still needed if you want to advance as a team. As you saw with our opponent today, Arsenal only had one player unavailable. We had an abundance of them.”