Erik ten Hag explains thinking behind mid-season training camp

We are past the halfway point of this winter’s World Cup and club sides are now beginning their preparations before the season is resumed later this month.

Manchester United are one of the teams in Europe with most players away in Qatar and most of them will need time to recover from the psychological and physical draining that comes with a major international tournament.

Erik ten Hag has enjoyed a good start to life in Manchester and he will be given the chance to assess some of the squad players this week, with the side currently in Spain on a mid-season training camp.

The travelling squad was mainly made up of young players but also seniors that are not taking part in the World Cup, with Anthony Martial and Victor Lindelof among those players.

Speaking ahead of United’s friendly against Spanish outfit Cadiz later this week, Ten Hag has explained the reasoning behind the camp in Spain.

“It’s the normal objectives for every training camp but certainly to get back into the rhythm of the game,” Ten Hag is quoted as saying by the official Manchester United website.

“So first, fitness levels and then second, the way of playing. But we are here with a mixed team, so I have to talk about several objectives.

“We have a lot of young players with us as well and they have to support us but they can show us what they have to offer, what their capabilities are and what their potential is and if you can use them, if they have a future.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for them. Normally we don’t have this break and now we have this break. Many players are at the World Cup, so there are positions available and they [the young players] can get used in these positions.

“They can show themselves and they can challenge players who play in the Premier League, so it’s fantastic for them.”

Martial is one of the players who need a good camp ahead of the remainder of this season. The shock departure of Cristiano Ronaldo last month means that the Frenchman is the only out-and-out striker at the club.

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