Coach Erik Ten Hag recently held a press conference ahead of Manchester United’s return to action. The race for the top 4 in the Premier League is extremely challenging, with tough matches lying ahead.
One name that was frequently mentioned during the press conference was Kobbie Mainoo. The young midfielder made his debut for the England national team during the recent FIFA Days, and the coach couldn’t hide his pride when discussing the player he has invested a lot of effort in.
The coach commented, “I think Mainoo had a very impressive performance for the England national team, but we are not surprised. We know what he is capable of, especially his ability to adapt quickly to the highest level. That allows Mainoo to play with confidence, and naturally, I’m happy for him.”
The coach continued to praise Mainoo, saying, “Of course, we are proud of the progress in Kobbie Mainoo’s development. It’s fantastic to see that Manchester United’s academy has produced a young player who has already represented the England national team. It’s a testament to the club as well.”
During the press conference, the coach also revealed some updates on Manchester United’s personnel. Lisandro Martinez has a chance to return to the team for the upcoming match against Brentford. The Argentine defender has been absent due to injury.
Speaking about Martinez’s potential appearance against Brentford, the coach stated, “Yes, there is a basis for Lisandro Martinez to return to the Manchester United lineup. We have missed him in every match because Martinez brings calmness to the team. With his winning mentality, Martinez always carries a desire to succeed. Naturally, he is a necessary addition for the team in the upcoming phase.”
One question was raised regarding Luke Shaw’s situation, and the coach provided positive information. The English media previously suggested that Luke Shaw might be out for the remainder of the season. The coach commented on this, saying, “I expect Luke Shaw to return before the end of the season. He is still on track and will rejoin the team before the season concludes.”
The two-week international break was crucial for Manchester United. The coach shared his thoughts on this issue before concluding the press conference, saying, “It was a great break. It’s good that Manchester United secured a victory before entering the period dedicated to international duties. The players continue their international responsibilities in different teams, playing different styles and systems. And now that they have returned, Manchester United must also resume the race for the top 4 in the Premier League and other competitions. It won’t be easy, but it’s truly necessary.”
Manchester United will visit Brentford’s stadium in the 30th round of the Premier League. Prior to the match, Coach Erik Ten Hag organized the press conference to announce noteworthy updates regarding the team’s personnel situation.