Friction arises as Erik Ten Hag denies the request for a rest day
Manchester United players expressed discontent after their defeat to Fulham by requesting a day off, which was denied by manager Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff. The Red Devils suffered a disappointing loss at Old Trafford, with Alex Iwobi’s 97th-minute goal securing victory for Fulham.
Despite a late equalizer from Harry Maguire, Manchester United’s performance was lacklustre, adding to what has been a challenging second year for Ten Hag in charge. Currently sixth in the Premier League, the team sits eight points behind Aston Villa, the current occupant of the final Champions League qualification spot.
Known for his no-nonsense approach, Ten Hag previously cancelled a day off in August 2022, opting instead for a rigorous training session following a defeat to Brentford.
The Guardian reported that several United players requested a mirror day off, a departure from their usual routine of conducting warm-downs and video analysis at Carrington. The request, made after their poor performance against Fulham, was denied by the coaching staff, causing surprise among the players.
Despite the request, Ten Hag appears to be unaware of the squad’s dissatisfaction over the denied day off. With an upcoming FA Cup clash against Nottingham Forest, United’s only remaining opportunity for silverware this season, the pressure on Ten Hag continues to mount.
The Dutch manager remains defiant, pointing to the team’s unbeaten record in January and February and dismissing the notion of overreaction to the Fulham defeat. He emphasized the need for improvement in defending and pressing, particularly on the left side, and called for a better performance in their upcoming match.
Manchester United fans await the team’s response in their next game, with expectations high for a strong rebound after the disappointing defeat to Fulham
