Erik ten Hag: Spurs game will be crucial in top four race
The Manchester United boss warned his players to expect a reaction from Spurs after their Newcastle defeat.
Manchester United will hope to build on Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final victory over Brighton & Hove Albion when they travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday.
The Red Devils bounced back from a brief wobble and have now won their last three Premier League games, taking them to fourth in the table. Tottenham, meanwhile, have been in freefall in recent weeks but could move to within three points of United with a win on Thursday.
Ahead of the match Erik ten Hag was asked how significant he believed the game would be in the battle for a top four place.
“Very,” the United boss replied. “You see the table, then it is quite clear. But our approach will not change. Our approach is we want to win every game. It doesn’t matter who the opponent is.”
Manchester United have a five-point lead over fifth-place Aston Villa, and are six points ahead of Liverpool and Spurs.
Spurs will want a reaction after Newcastle thrashing
Earlier this week Spurs parted company with interim boss Christian Stellini off the back of a chastening 6-1 defeat against Newcastle United. Ryan Mason will lead Tottenham against United and Ten Hag has warned his team to expect a reaction from Spurs.
“They [Spurs] had a really bad defeat and of course they are mad and that can be fuel for bouncing back,” he said.
“But like I said, it is about us. An opponent can never be more hungry [than] we [are]. That is how we have to prepare for the game and we have to be ready to go on the front foot and be dominant and dictate the game.”
United will be without the likes of Lisandro Martine and Raphael Varane on Thursday. Bruno Fernandes is also a doubt due to injury having been pictured in a protective boot and crutches after Sunday’s win at Wembley.