Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag admits Team not ready for Premier League opener vs Fulham

Ahead of the 2024-25 Premier League opener, Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag has shared his concerns that his team isn't 'ready' for the season-opener versus Fulham on Saturday (Aug 17).

The Red Devils, who kickoff the season at Old Trafford, have a herculean task to bounce back in the new edition after failing to finish in the top-four in 2023/24. Some of their new signings have joined the squad very late whereas they are also battling injury concerns; adding to Ten Hag's concerns.

Notably, new signings Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui joined the squad on Thursday and, thus, have limited training opportunities. Meanwhile, defender Luke Shaw is sidelined with a calf injury, new recruit Leny Yoro is out for three months due to foot injury, and forward Rasmus Hojlund is battling a hamstring issue.

'WE CAN'T RUN AWAY FROM IT, HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT'

Thus, Ten Hag stated before the PL opener, "The team is not ready but the league starts. There are more managers who definitely have this problem but we have to make a start. We can't hide from it. We can't run away from it. We have to deal with it."

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Ten Hag has a lot on his plate. He has to solve a selection problem at left-back, with Shaw unavailable due to a calf injury and Tyrell Malacia out of action for another two months -- being on recovery process post a knee surgery. It is believed that Mazraoui could be one answer whereas Diogo Dalot and Lisandro Martinez filled in during last Saturday's Community Shield.

The Dutchman said, "It's not about the players who are not available. It's also what I said always last season: it's about the players who are available and we have a good group, we can make a strong selection."

Ten Hag is positive about Shaw's swift return. He hasn't played for United since early this year, due to hamstring injury, although he was fit enough for England's campaign in Euro 2024, where they ended second.

In this regard, Ten Hag added, "He will return in the short term. It doesn't take long. Luke is a very important player for our team so we want to get him back as soon as possible but we can't force this process."

Despite a lot of criticism, Ten Hag continues as Man United manager especially following the Red Devils' FA Cup win over Manchester City in late May. He will hope to silence his critics by leading the former PL champions' comeback in the new season.