Manchester United is all finals in the run-in, says Ten Hag

United’s victory over Steve Cooper’s relegation-threatened Forest at the City Ground propelled it into third to strengthen its grip on a top-four Premier League finish.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag inspects the pitch prior to the Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at City Ground on April 16, 2023. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

With his Manchester United side still in the thick of three different races and in the midst of a gruelling stretch of games, manager Erik ten Hag says he will not prioritise one competition over another.

“We approach this game by game, what can we do?” Ten Hag said after Sunday’s 2-0 Premier League victory over Nottingham Forest. “We have to win. We are United, we have to win every game.”

United’s victory over Steve Cooper’s relegation-threatened Forest at the City Ground propelled it into third to strengthen its grip on a top-four Premier League finish.

The match was also sandwiched between both legs of United’s Europa League quarterfinal against Sevilla. After a 2-2 draw in the first leg, United heads to Seville for the return on Thursday. It plays Brighton at Wembley in the FA Cup semifinals next Sunday.

“The points are getting more expensive at this period of the season, because they are all finals, they are really battling against relegation, they are giving their lives and this is every opponent, or they go for the top, so you have to really fight and battle for every point,” Ten Hag said.

Adding to the challenge of its breathless schedule is a spate of injuries. United, who was already missing striker Marcus Rashford and defenders Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez, lost midfielder Marcel Sabitzer on Sunday when he injured his groin in the warm-up.

“Sabitzer came off in the warm-up, he felt something,” the manager said. “We decided not to take the risk, we will find out (Monday) what it is. But when you have (Christian) Eriksen on the bench, it is definitely not a disadvantage.

“Last week I had nine fit top defenders, now I have four,” Ten Hag added. “We need all our players, we are still in three competitions, we need all the players to form a top team.”

United has already passed last season’s Premier League points total, with 59 from 30 games, with eight games still to play.

Diogo Dalot, who netted his first Premier League goal in his 100th appearance in all competitions for United on Sunday, said his team faces a “big week”.

“Two decisive games, we want to be in position to fight for trophies,” he said. “Now we have a chance to get close to a final, and to get to a final. Hopefully we win both games.”

United has already hoisted one trophy this season, winning the League Cup in late February.