Fletcher Talks Ten Hag Out Of FA Cup Risk

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Post on Oct 31, 2024

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Fletcher Talks Ten Hag Out of FA Cup Risk

Manchester United legend Darren Fletcher has revealed he played a key role in persuading Erik ten Hag to avoid risking key players in the FA Cup fourth round tie against Reading.

The Red Devils secured a comfortable 3-1 victory at Old Trafford, with goals from Casemiro, Fred, and Antony sealing the win. However, the game saw a number of fringe players and youngsters given the opportunity to impress, with Ten Hag opting to rest several key figures ahead of the crucial Premier League clash against Arsenal.

Fletcher, who is now United's technical director, admitted that he had a conversation with the manager before the match, urging him to prioritize the league fixture.

"I think Erik did a great job in terms of the balance of the team," Fletcher told MUTV. "We had a discussion about it beforehand, and I think we made the right decision. We have a massive game coming up against Arsenal, and it was important to keep some of our key players fresh."

While acknowledging the importance of the FA Cup, Fletcher emphasized the need to maintain focus on the Premier League title race.

"The FA Cup is a great competition, but our priority right now is the Premier League. We want to be challenging for the title, and to do that we need to make sure we are at our best in every game."

Ten Hag himself echoed Fletcher's sentiments, confirming the decision to prioritize the league fixture.

"It was a good test for us, and it was good to see some of the players who haven't had as much opportunity to get some minutes," Ten Hag said. "But our main focus is on the Premier League."

The victory over Reading ensured United's progression to the FA Cup fifth round, where they will face a tough test against West Ham. However, with the Premier League clash against Arsenal looming large, Ten Hag will likely once again prioritize his starting XI, ensuring they are fully prepared for the crucial encounter.

The decision to rotate against Reading has been widely praised by fans and pundits alike, with many acknowledging the importance of managing the squad effectively throughout a demanding season. By prioritizing the league, Ten Hag has demonstrated his commitment to challenging for the Premier League title, a goal that has been the focus of the club since his arrival last summer.

With the team's momentum building, United fans will be hoping that Ten Hag's rotation strategy will pay dividends in the crucial weeks ahead, as they bid to maintain their challenge for top honors.