Erik ten Hag blames injuries for ‘holding Manchester United back’ ahead of West Ham clash

Erik ten Hag has claimed that Manchester United are being held back by injury problems ahead of the Premier League clash against West Ham.

Manchester United are preparing for their upcoming Premier League fixture away at West Ham.

Despite edging Brentford 2-1 in their last league outing, United find themselves in 12th place, with Erik ten Hag feeling the weight of rising expectations.

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Their Europa League campaign saw them draw 1-1 with Fenerbahce just two days before Sunday’s clash, adding an extra challenge for the squad as they head to London Stadium.

This match will mark Ten Hag’s ninth in the league, with United currently holding three wins, three losses, and two draws this season.

Ten Hag: Injuries holding us back

Speaking to the press on Thursday ahead of the club’s tie against the Hammers, Ten Hag admitted that he feels the current injuries at the club are holding back his squad.

United currently have seven players confirmed as sidelined, while the club wait on fitness updates about Antony and Jonny Evans.

“Yeah, that holds us back in our levels and also in our position in the league,” Ten Hag explained ahead of Sunday’s game. “Because when you don’t have the players available, you can’t line up the best team, and that is what’s holding us back in this moment.

“We need more players often available, and then we have to work altogether on this point. That is the players, the coaching staff, all the other staff.

“We have to do better and to get more available players because we know when we have them we are a really tough team to play, and when we have them, we can be really, really successful.

“And that is what we have shown over the last couple of months.”

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