Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag accused of jealousy by ex-Premier League star after Arsenal injury comments

Erik ten Hag previously claimed Arsenal have not faced the same number of injury problems as his Man United side this season.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Chris Sutton has suggested Erik ten Hag’s comments about Arsenal’s injury record were borne out of jealousy, with the Gunners eight points clear at the top of the Premier League ahead of the return to domestic action.

Speaking ahead of his side’s Europa League victory against Real Betis earlier this month, Ten Hag suggested Arsenal had few injury issues to deal with compared to his Man United side.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: “I think we have only had one game when we have had the full squad available. Every other time in the season we have had a player suspended, injured or ill. Of course you see Arsenal and they almost have a full squad available all the time.”

His comments came after Alejandro Garnacho was ruled out for a number of weeks with Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek out long term while the Red Devils’ domestic selection issues have been exasperated by Casemiro’s four-match ban.

Arsenal have not been without injuries this term, with first-choice striker Gabriel Jesus spending a number of months on the sidelines while Mohamed Elneny has featured little this term.

Ahead of the Gunners’ return to action this weekend, Thomas Partey is a doubt after missing Ghana’s match on Monday with an injury. The involvement of Kieran Tierney and William Saliba is also uncertain while Takehiro Tomiyasu has a season-ending injury.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“That could well be a bit of sour grapes, maybe from Ten Hag. I don’t think that you can say Arsenal have been lucky with injuries,” said Sutton, speaking to Betting Sites.

“The players have obviously been doing the right things and working hard. They’ll be doing stuff pre-training to make sure they’re conditioned and ready to play.

“And then warming down correctly after games. That’s not to say Manchester United players aren’t doing the same things but in some seasons you get more injuries than other seasons.

“But you know, as a consequence of Arsenal having that continuity while they’re doing so well. Ten Hag has done well but he’s probably jealous to be looking and seeing Arsenal just miles ahead of them at the minute.”

Ahead of a return to domestic action, Arsenal are 19 points clear of Man United in third. The Gunners have played two games more, however.

Related topics: