Ten Hag hopes Sancho and Martial returns can end Man Utd 'compromises'
Erik ten Hag hopes Manchester United can continue to call on their full quota of attacking talent after the returns of Jadon Sancho and Antony Martial.
Both strikers came on as second-half substitutes in Wednesday's 2-0 EFL Cup semi-final second leg win over Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford, with Martial scoring his return from injury with a goal.
With the aforementioned duo of Marcus Rashford, Antony, Bruno Fernandes and Wout Weghorst among Ten Hag's in the attacking third, United have a number of options to call upon.
However, any selection headaches he may present come as a relief to Ten Hag, who have seen his side face several absences so far this season.
"The problem is that they weren't always available until now. We've made a lot of compromises during the season so far," he told Sky Sports .
"I hope we get to a point where they are available. If you want to earn trophies, they have to be available because we have so many games.
"You saw today, you can do something from the bench, bring a different dynamic."
United's treble change on the hour mark resulted in the breakthrough against Forest, with Sancho among them in his first appearance for the club since October.
The England international played a different role than expected, occupying a more central position than on the wing, with a versatility that Ten Hag is keen to capitalize on.
"I think we've done that before. It's a different dynamic, that's what we intended to do," he explained.
"I know he can play as a number ten as well, he can play as a winger. We mix everything and around.
"That's what I like, but the position must be occupied and the player must maintain discipline because otherwise it will be a mess."
With a place in the EFL Cup final assured, where Newcastle United await on February 26, the Red Devils can look forward to a packed schedule that includes a double-header against Leeds United in the Premier League and a game two tied with Barcelona in the Europa League.
However, such a crowded match list doesn't concern Ten Hag, who praised the challenge it presents.
"It's a luxury issue, it's how we want it. It's normal for Manchester United to play every three days, so we're looking forward to that," he added.
>"Most gamers look forward to playing games more than practicing. For us, we have to make every game better than the last.
"We are looking forward to the final. It's great to go to Wembley, to play against Newcastle United, who are a great team, but it's a long way for us now.
"We are looking forward to the Premier League on Saturday against Crystal Palace."
Erik ten Hag hopes Manchester United can continue to call on their full quota of attacking talent after the returns of Jadon Sancho and Antony Martial.
Both strikers came on as second-half substitutes in Wednesday's 2-0 EFL Cup semi-final second leg win over Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford, with Martial scoring his return from injury with a goal.
With the aforementioned duo of Marcus Rashford, Antony, Bruno Fernandes and Wout Weghorst among Ten Hag's in the attacking third, United have a number of options to call upon.
However, any selection headaches he may present come as a relief to Ten Hag, who have seen his side face several absences so far this season.
"The problem is that they weren't always available until now. We've made a lot of compromises during the season so far," he told Sky Sports .
"I hope we get to a point where they are available. If you want to earn trophies, they have to be available because we have so many games.
"You saw today, you can do something from the bench, bring a different dynamic."
United's treble change on the hour mark resulted in the breakthrough against Forest, with Sancho among them in his first appearance for the club since October.
The England international played a different role than expected, occupying a more central position than on the wing, with a versatility that Ten Hag is keen to capitalize on.
"I think we've done that before. It's a different dynamic, that's what we intended to do," he explained.
"I know he can play as a number ten as well, he can play as a winger. We mix everything and around.
"That's what I like, but the position must be occupied and the player must maintain discipline because otherwise it will be a mess."
With a place in the EFL Cup final assured, where Newcastle United await on February 26, the Red Devils can look forward to a packed schedule that includes a double-header against Leeds United in the Premier League and a game two tied with Barcelona in the Europa League.
However, such a crowded match list doesn't concern Ten Hag, who praised the challenge it presents.
"It's a luxury issue, it's how we want it. It's normal for Manchester United to play every three days, so we're looking forward to that," he added.
>"Most gamers look forward to playing games more than practicing. For us, we have to make every game better than the last.
"We are looking forward to the final. It's great to go to Wembley, to play against Newcastle United, who are a great team, but it's a long way for us now.
"We are looking forward to the Premier League on Saturday against Crystal Palace."
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