Manager facing headaches over the form of Harry Maguire and David de Gea, Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence and the De Jong transfer saga
Despite the results and sparkling attacking play there remains a close‑your‑eyes‑and‑hope feel around a group of players who, in the past, have tended to collapse under pressure. Witness Ten Hag’s description of his defence as a “pack of cards” when conceding a hapless opener against Melbourne Victory, with the manager admitting the disaster of last season continues to weigh on his players.
He gave a stock answer about wishing to win each game but the concern is a hiding at home from their great rivals could seriously damage the bid to reconstruct his players’ fragile psyches.Photograph: Will Russell/Getty Imageshave lasted as an indifferent performer for three seasons at Manchester City or Liverpool? No way. Ten Hag is doing all he can to support the defender, retaining him as captain and saying he “thinks” Maguire is a first-choice.
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