MADRID, 15 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Manchester United coach, Erik ten Hag, valued the similar moment that his team and FC Barcelona are going through before the ‘playoff’ between the two in the Europa League, “a ‘reset'” at a continental level that both the English team and Spanish and “a test” of those that “make you better”.
“It is the reality, both clubs are in the Europa League, we have the ambition to play in the Champions League, but we are here. We both need a ‘reset’. I think that both clubs are in the right direction. It motivates us a lot to face each other tomorrow, it is a test that helps, they are challenges that make you better”, he said this Wednesday.
The Dutch coach spoke to the media at the Camp Nou, acknowledging his taste for the culé philosophy. “I think it’s great to face Barcelona. I like the philosophy of this club and that football that brings out so many good players and great teams. We really want to face them. You can see the inspiration of Johan Cruyff in him, you see that his way of playing is inspired by Cruyff”, he pointed out, remembering his idol and compatriot.
The United coach also assessed the physical situation of his squad. “I think they’re on their way back, because they’ve already been training individually. At the end of this week, I think Scott and Antony could start working with the rest of the team, but we have to see. They’re making progress, and that’s what We’ve seen so far,” he said.
At the same time, Ten Hag analyzed the possibility of playing again with Luke Shaw as center back, taking into account the absence of Lisandro Martínez, who will not be able to participate in the game due to suspension. “I think we have a lot of options to resolve this. We can use Luke as a winger and a centre-back as he did both very well last weekend. We also have good alternatives in midfield so we can choose,” he explained. .