Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag acknowledged that his team is "not ready" for the Premier League season opener on Friday, but he remains hopeful that new signings Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui can quickly adapt. United will kick off their campaign at home against Fulham, with Ten Hag under pressure to make a strong start following a disappointing eighth-place finish last season. The Dutch coach’s survival in his role was largely attributed to a surprising FA Cup final victory over Manchester City in May.
United has made significant investments in the transfer market, with De Ligt and Mazraoui joining from Bayern Munich this week, alongside previous signings Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee. However, injuries have disrupted their pre-season preparations, with Yoro, striker Rasmus Hojlund, and left-back Luke Shaw all currently sidelined. Ten Hag expressed his concern about the team’s readiness but emphasized the need to confront the challenges ahead.
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Despite these setbacks, Ten Hag is focusing on the players who are available and remains optimistic about the squad’s potential. De Ligt and Mazraoui, who previously worked with Ten Hag at Ajax, are expected to feature against Fulham. Ten Hag stressed the importance of utilizing the current squad effectively and building strength through the season, regardless of the injuries.
Positive signs emerged from United’s performance in the Community Shield, despite a penalty shootout loss to Manchester City. Alejandro Garnacho scored United’s only goal in a 1-1 draw, though many players are still short of match fitness after returning late from international duties. Ten Hag acknowledged that the team would not be at full strength initially but is determined to improve performance levels gradually as the season progresses.
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