Erik ten Hag insists ‘no team could deal with’ Manchester United’s injury setbacks this season as they scramble to make the Champions League as he again insists team is ‘going in the right direction’

Erik ten Hag insists his second season at Manchester United would have been very different had he not been plagued by injuries.

The Dutchman is fighting to keep his job beyond the summer after struggling to build on a third-placed finish and Carabao Cup success last season.

But Ten Hag believes injuries to key players have made it impossible to maintain that progress, with 10 men ruled out of Saturday’s clash with Everton at Old Trafford.

United’s defeat at the Etihad means that Ten Hag has won 61 of his first 100 games as United boss – a better record than Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool and Mikel Arteta at Arsenal. But Ten Hag believes his win ratio would have been closer to 75 per cent without the injury crisis.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has lamented his team’s pile-up of injuries 

United’s Brazilian midfielder Casemiro in the wars during their recent defeat to Fulham

In-form striker Rasmus Hojlund is one player United have missed in recent matches 

‘It tells that we are in the right direction,’ he said. ‘So imagine if we had many more players available and not setbacks and injuries. 

‘It could easily have been 75 wins and that tells the bright future of this team.

‘When you compare it with other managers, other teams, or previous managers in this big club, you can see there is a bright future. 

‘It is a good balance in ages in this squad. Young players, middle-aged players, imagine when they are available, we could easily have won from 100 games 75. It is a big difference with the stats you mentioned.

‘No team can deal with so many injuries. I think we played to maximum levels if you take in respect the availability of the players. We missed so many key players over the part of the season. 

‘The performances we have seen when the players were available in January and February the performances were very good. The players could have done even better if they were 100 per cent fit.

‘The project is going in the right direction when we have the players available. Top football is about winning games. 

‘We’re working on better performances and we want to play on maximum levels. In key positions you miss players who have a very high impact on the way we want to play.

United suffered another chastening afternoon in the Manchester derby as City beat them 3-1

Harry Maguire will be back for the FA Cup game with Liverpool next weekend after injury

‘I have to do it, we have to do it with the players available. I will never complain about that. We have to get the best out of it, that is our aim.

‘We want to be successful, we need to be successful. Sometimes seasons are going like we are now in but we don’t accept that. 

‘We have problems and have had problems with the squad injury wise, but with the players available we will fight. It doesn’t matter who is the opposition, we go for the win.’

There was better news for Ten Hag with Hojlund, Maguire and Wan-Bissaka due back for the FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool a week on Sunday, while Mount is set to return after the international break following four months out.

‘Mason Mount I think he is in a good spell now and he will return shortly, I think after the international break,’ added Ten Hag. 

‘For next week, some players are planning to return. Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, I expect them to be available for our game against Liverpool. Hojlund as well.’