Croatia
Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Erik ten Hag reveals Manchester United have full squad for Melbourne Victory game

sportsmole.co.uk, 14 July 2022, 14:19
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has revealed that he has a full squad to choose from for Friday's pre-season friendly with Australian outfit Melbourne Victory.

Club captain Harry Maguire missed out against Liverpool on Tuesday due to a knock that he suffered in training, while David de Gea had to be replaced in the second half of the 4-0 win after picking up an injury.

However, speaking during Thursday's press conference, Ten Hag said that his squad is at "full capacity", with all of the players present in Australia available for selection.

"Our squad? We are full, full capacity. We have a strong squad so the fans will be happy. Yes, tomorrow he (Maguire) is available. We will see but I think he can play half a game," the head coach told reporters.

Ten Hag made wholesale changes at the interval of Tuesday's four-goal success over Liverpool and that is again expected to be the case against Victory on Friday.

The Dutchman has said that the results are not the most important part of pre-season matches, but he is keen for the team to develop a winning habit at this stage.

"It's pre-season but in football you play to win. So in the end it's always important, winning. But of course in this pre-season we also have to develop our team so that is also a very big target for the game," Ten Hag added.

The club's new head coach also said that Man United have "huge potential" when asked about the current crop of youngsters on their pre-season tour.

"I have said it before, Manchester United has huge potential. Really good players, experienced players but also a lot of young guys, young boys who have a lot of potential," said the 52-year-old.

"We have to get the potential out so now we have to work really hard. Man United is famous about it and Marcus Rashford here is I think a symbol of the Academy of Manchester United and more upcoming talents who come after."

Ten Hag also insisted that "nothing has changed" regarding Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Portugal international still absent from the club's pre-season tour.

"We made a statement and nothing has changed," said the Dutchman when asked whether the fans in Australia would see the Portugal international in action.

Ronaldo is believed to have told Man United that he wants to leave the club during this summer's transfer window, although his absence from the tour is down to a personal issue, which remains private.

Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain - the three leading contenders for the 37-year-old - have all allegedly ruled themselves out of the running for his signature this summer.

As a result, it is believed that the former Sporting Lisbon youngster is now likely to remain at Old Trafford, but it is unclear when he could make his return for the club.

Top News

23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk There is a legitimate case that Mohamed Salah is the Premier League's best ever player, and he could surpass Thierry Henry sooner rather than later, according to Liverpool expert David Lynch. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool's 6-3 victory against Tottenham Hotspur proves that the club are the most complete side in the Premier League, and their title rivals should fear them, according to Reds expert David Lynch. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Three years have passed since Zinedine Zidane last took to the dugout - but he is in no rush to return. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Manchester United are in desperate need of a response when they travel to struggling Wolves on Boxing Day, live on talkSPORT. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are readying an offer of €60m (£49.8m) for the signature of AC Milan midfielder Youssouf Fofana, according to a report. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Ruben Amorim has refused to rule out a return for Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford against Wolves on Boxing Day. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal will not be playing on Boxing Day this year as they welcome Ipswich to the Emirates on Friday night instead. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Sociedad sporting director Roberto Olabe has affirmed that he does not expect Liverpool-linked midfielder Martin Zubimendi to push for an exit during the January transfer window. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has insisted that there is "no deadline" to sign a new contract at Anfield as he prepares to enter the last six months of his current terms. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Liverpool will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table against Leicester in Boxing Day's late kick-off. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Mason Mount is set for another lengthy injury absence, talkSPORT understands. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Liverpool will face Leicester City on Boxing Day, live on talkSPORT, after celebrating Christmas at the top of the Premier League table. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Kai Havertz could move to the Arsenal right wing following the injury blow to Bukayo Saka. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Michael Owen has slammed the Aston Villa supporters who booed Jack Grealish - and told them to 'hang your heads in shame'. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Former Manchester City star Jesus Navas couldn't hold back the tears as he was given an emotional send-off before his retirement. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that he expects Bukayo Saka to be out for "many weeks" with the hamstring injury he suffered in Saturday's 5-1 Premier League win over Crystal Palace. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are reportedly struggling to attract offers for one of their fringe players ahead of the January transfer window. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing Everton defender Ben Godfrey. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Gareth Southgate had an Adele hit on repeat before stepping down as England manager. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is set to be ruled out until February, talkSPORT understands. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly identified a Sporting Lisbon youngster as a potential signing for Strasbourg. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Big things were expected of Marko Mitrovic when he joined Chelsea as a 16-year-old in 2008. 23 December 2024 talksport.com talkSPORT has today announced that is has won radio rights to the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 coverage. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Boxing Day football is beloved by fans and one of the highlights of the Christmas schedule - but it can prove tricky for the players. 23 December 2024 talksport.com A handful of Premier League stars will be able to spend Christmas at home this year after receiving a Boxing Day ban. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea return to action on Boxing Day when they play host to local rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Lisandro Martinez has claimed that Manchester United were "playing so well" before losing 3-0 to Bournemouth on Sunday. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has allegedly made a further two senior players available for transfer. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal have reportedly scouted Atalanta striker Mateo Retegui as an alternative transfer target to Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly discovered the asking price of Brighton & Hove Albion forward Joao Pedro.