MY ACCOUNT
Erik ten Hag is adamant Manchester United will have no excuses if they fail to beat managerless Leeds on Wednesday night.
United are without a number of key players due to injury and suspension, with Casemiro beginning a three-match ban after seeing red during last Saturday’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.
The influential midfielder will watch on as Ten Hag looks to pick the strongest possible XI from a squad also missing Anthony Martial, Antony and Scott McTominay, along with long-term absentees Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek.
But the Dutchman, 53, insists those absences will not stop his side going all out for three points at Old Trafford.
He said: “I’m the manager. I always have to play with the players who are available.
“We have a squad, we have many good players available in that squad who are not always in the starting XI. So others [will] get the chance and I have to do it.
“After the game, I can’t say Casemiro is not there, Martial is not there. No, we have to win.
“This squad, all players in [it], are Man United capable, so they have to perform and we have to win the games, no matter who is coming on the pitch.”
Relegation-haunted Leeds are searching for a new boss after axing Jesse Marsch.
They currently sit outside the Premier League drop zone thanks to a better goal difference than fellow strugglers Everton.
A win at the Theatre of Dreams, as unlikely as it may seem, would see the Whites move level with 14th-placed Leicester on 21 points.
United, meanwhile, can pull five clear of nearest rivals Newcastle as they look to consolidate their place in the top three.
