Erik ten Hag points out two key duos within Manchester United squad

Erik ten Hag has praised the connections that Fred and Casemiro, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Antony have created on the field both at Old Trafford and beyond.

The Manchester United squad has received a huge blow, with Christian Eriksen being confirmed as injured for around three months with an ankle problem caused by a reckless tackle from Andy Carroll during United’s 3-1 FA Cup victory over Reading.

This caused Erik ten Hag to take an emergency dive into the transfer market on deadline day in order to secure a replacement, resulting in a swift move for Bayern Munich’s Marcel Sabitzer on a six-month loan.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of the semi-final second leg of the Carabao Cup (which was held before Sabitzer’s signing), Eri ten Hag was asked on if Fred can help plug the gap left by Eriksen’s injury and play alongside fellow Brazilian, Casemiro.

“He’s playing together with Casemiro in the Brazilian squad, I would say that’s not the worst squad in the world,” replied Ten Hag. “They have so many choices that they can make but they often prefer to play them together.

“So, that tells something about the quality Fred has and what he can contribute to the team. He has done it several times with his performance for instance against Tottenham Hotspur, for instance against Manchester City. When he’s coming on (in the) last game (against Reading), he’s scoring a goal straight away. He has a lot of qualities. I think they are a really good combination, Casemiro and Fred.”

Fred has been enjoying more of an attacking role under Erik ten Hag, although his minutes have been somewhat limited compared to previous seasons – but there is no doubt that he is valued by the Dutch manager.

Another who’s minutes have been hard to come by is Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Before Dalot’s injury, Wan-Bissaka only played four minutes across all competitions, however has thrown himself straight back into the mixer with some quality performances, forming a relationship with Antony on the right.

When asked on if he has been impressed on Wan-Bissaka’s form, Ten Hag was full of praise for the full-back.

“Aaron, he was so often ill or injured at the start of the season, so he wasn’t in the right spirit to contribute, a lot of drop-outs,” he explained. “Then in the restart (after the World Cup), he was available, and he got used to our way of play, what we introduced, and I think he made a good development, a good progress.

“I think you see him growing game by game and I’m happy. What I think was quite well in the last games was the connection between Aaron and Antony was much better. Then you see much more difficulties for the opponent. Then we have to work on that we have even more bodies there, occupation around them so they have more opportunities to play.”

In the same question, Ten Hag was also asked on if he is planning on playing a more direct form of football considering the signing of Wout Weghorst, who is a clear focal point up front.

“To Wout, I think Wout is integrating really well,” he said. “He is just doing what I expected him to do, routine has to come, but the more you play together, the more it will come. So, I expect even better performances from him.”