Erik ten Hag says he is enjoying the “luxury problem” of having competition for places in his Manchester United squad, with the Premier League finale and an FA Cup final appearance looming.
United have endured an injury-hit season and go into Sunday’s final game at Brighton knowing they could register their lowest finishing position in the Premier League era.
Captain Bruno Fernandes, centre-back Lisandro Martinez and striker Marcus Rashford all returned to action in Wednesday’s home win over Newcastle, while midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and winger Amad Diallo have taken opportunities to impress when starting United’s past two games.
“It’s internal competition and I think they perform well,” said the United boss of Amrabat and Diallo. “I think the way they’re progressing across the season is very good for both and now they deserve the chance, they took the chance and that’s a luxury problem.
“Which is good and that is actually what I need, what I was waiting for so long. Actually, I was waiting for a whole season, such a luxury problem and we need a squad to win both games.”
Referring to the 4-0 loss at Crystal Palace earlier this month, Ten Hag added: “There was only one very poor performance (recently), so all the others, there was always very good spirit.
“I would almost say across the season, across all the problems we had – I don’t think I have to sum them up again, but we have had them – but the spirit in the team, the fighting spirit, was always there. The dynamic was always there and I think we had also some good performances, even when the best players were not available.
“But you know when all the best players are not available, and you have to change so many things, the patterns are not there, the new routines are not there.
“Now, lately, the last two games, we are returning some players, players who progress very well came in the team and the performances, as you say, were good in the last two games.”