Several first-team players will be unavailable during the upcoming international break for Manchester United.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has stated that the team will work on “structure” during the international break but admits that it will be difficult with so many players away.
The Reds do not return to action until early October when they face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, but United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is eager to continue improving with the players who will remain at Carrington during the break.
Ten Hag’s men will have been without a Premier League match for nearly a month, with the previous two games against Crystal Palace and Leeds United being postponed due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Given the upcoming international break – the final one before the World Cup in Qatar begins in November – several United players will be absent for much of the next two weeks.
United have 15 first-team players, including those on loan, representing their countries on international duty over the next few weeks.
Reds manager Ten Hag admitted that the absences make it difficult for his team to continue developing, but he insisted that work will continue at Carrington with the players who remain.
“I don’t have the players,” said the Dutchman. “What are our options? We can plan work structures with the participants who will be present. They will have a break, but they will also have good sessions. We can work on specifics, but we can’t work on development when 90% of the squad is absent. That much is obvious.”
United, who defeated Sheriff 2-0 in the Europa League on Thursday night, will travel to Cyprus to face Omonia Nicosia in their third Group E match after the Manchester derby.
Following that away trip, the Reds travel to Goodison Park to face Everton in the Premier League before welcoming Omonia to Old Trafford on Thursday, October 13.
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