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Erik ten Hag says he hopes to have Jonny Evans back for Sunday’s trip to West Ham.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of the game, the manager confirmed:
“We’re staying overnight, and then we go straight to London, and then training on Saturday in London. We have to be ready, short turnaround and we expect of course Bruno back, and hopefully also Jonny Evans.”
Ten Hag was also asked a question about the 3-0 loss to Spurs earlier in the month and made a bizarre response.
“I deny that game, [I] ignore that game against Spurs because we were downsized to ten with a 1-0 losing position and then the red card was overturned, so I totally ignore that game. That is not a fair assessment to the team, to take this into consideration, because we didn’t have the chance to bounce back.
“I tried to explain it was not fair to assess the team because there was a red card of one of our best players our captain and it was overturned everyone agreed it was not the right decision, that it was an injustice and it is also an injustice to assess the team on that performance against Spurs.”
Asked whether he is lacking depth in midfield, Ten Hag replied:
“Nah, we have Casemiro. He’s doing lately also, again, very good. We have people there who can fill in that role. We have Kobbie and I think Christian Eriksen is doing brilliant in this moment.”
The boss was asked about Manuel Ugarte’s progress after his €50m move from PSG.
“For sure, the six position is a key position in your team, and he has to learn this position in our game model. I think today is a step forward, so really pleased with his performance, and from here on he has to build on.”
“We have to stay patient but, as you see, if the quality in that position is not right it’s very difficult for a team to control games, and then I don’t even speak about dominating games.”
A reporter asked the boss whether he thought injuries were holding the team back.
“Yeah, that holds us back in our levels,” he said.
“And also in our position in the league. Because when you don’t have the players available, you can’t line up the best team. And that is what’s holding us back in this moment. We need more players, often available.
“We have to do better to get more available players. Because we know when we have them, we are a really tough team to play. And when we have them, we can be really successful. And that is what we have shown over the last couple of months.”
Asked about the injury sustained by Antony, Ten Hag replied:
“I haven’t seen it. But it’s only then I have to tell you out of the second hand. So from the doctor and the physio who told me what they saw. So first I have to see the video before I can give comment on this. I don’t know [if he’s out for Sunday.]”
Any embargoed section of the press conference will be published here tomorrow at 10.30pm.
The West Ham match at the London Stadium kicks off at 2pm GMT on Sunday (clocks go back the night before).
