‘The spirit is fantastic’ – Ten Hag lifts lid on Manchester United players’ morale

Manchester United's Dutch manager Erik ten Hag addresses a press conference at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium in Seville on April 19, 2023, ahead of the UEFA Europa league quarter final second leg football match between Sevilla and Manchester United. (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP) (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP via Getty Images)

The morale is higher than ever in Manchester United’s dressing room. 

It’s a good job too, as the forthcoming matches are season-defining for the Red Devils.

Tonight holds the second leg of the Europa League quarter-final clash against Sevilla. The Reds have made the trip to Spain and have it all to play for away from home, as the tie stands level at 2-2.

Erik ten Hag has been granted huge fitness boosts in the form of Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Marcel Sabitzer and Marcus Rashford returning – the latter will be keen to add to his 28-goal tally for the season if he features this evening at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium.

After United hopefully secure progression to the last four of the competition, attention will then quickly turn to FA Cup action.

On Sunday, Ten Hag, his entourage and the players will be at Wembley for the second time this campaign for the FA Cup semi-finals. They take on an in-form Brighton and Hove Albion and the squad will be well aware of the damage the Seagulls can inflict, having suffered a 2-1 defeat to them back in August.

Ten Hag on squad morale

The Dutch manager was quizzed on the mood in the dressing room in his pre-match press conference and responded (via the club website): “Very good. They’re really looking forward [to it]. I think the spirit is fantastic. We know why we are here. Last week, we drew so tomorrow we have to win because we want to go a round further.”

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