Erik ten Hag sets Manchester United stars a challenge and admits problem ahead of Brighton clash

Erik ten Hag has set his Manchester United stars a challenge as he admits a problem he is facing ahead of the Premier League clash against Brighton.

Manchester United clinched a thrilling 3-2 victory against Newcastle United in their final home match of the season. Their Premier League campaign concludes with an away game at Brighton.

Earlier in the season, Brighton visited Old Trafford and handed Erik ten Hag‘s squad a humbling 3-1 defeat.

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Despite that setback, Manchester United are now riding a wave of positivity following their recent win over Newcastle and with the FA Cup final next weekend as they head into their last league match of the season.

Speaking to club media ahead of the fixture, Ten Hag has challenged his squad to better the result Newcastle face on Sunday afternoon.

“We have some days to go but there are players returning,” Ten Has explained when asked what the current squad looks like ahead of the tie with respect to injured and returning players.

“They’re desperate to play any minute and, of course, definitely in the final in one week but, on Sunday, we have a very important game to play. We need a better result than Newcastle. So yeah, that we will put out a line [-up] what is strong and the strongest we have.

However, Ten Hag also admitted that he has to find a balance between giving minutes to new players return, such as Raphaël Varane, Lisandro Martínez, and Marcus Rashford, while also playing a strong XI to beat Brighton.

“But, at the same time, we have to find the balance that we also try to bring players returning from injury back on the pitch.”

Frutehr asked if this was a difficult balance to make, Ten Hag replied: “It’s very difficult because, as I say, we have to win this game.”

However, he has also expressed confidence ahead of the tie, explaining that he will target Brighton’s weak spots during the final weeks of the campaign.

“Brighton just lost to Chelsea, but they finish in front of their own fans. They’ll want to finish strong. So, how dangerous does that make them?” Ten Hag was asked.

“Yeah, but we have to make sure that we are dangerous for them, and we have to prepare the team very good,” was his strong reply

“We know we’re playing a typical style, a style I admire. But they have also the weaknesses and we have to take benefit from the weaknesses, as you should.”