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Man Utd news: Erik ten Hag drops Champions League message with Marcus Rashford update
Erik ten Hag spoke to the press ahead of Manchester United’s trip to Bournemouth as he delivered his verdict on the Red Devils’ pursuit of a Champions League place
Manchester United can edge closer to securing their place in next season’s Champions League with a win over Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.
The Red Devils travel to the Vitality Stadium in need of a victory to strengthen their grip on fourth-place as Liverpool host Aston Villa at the same time. Newcastle, who sit in third, are three points ahead of the Red Devils with a game in hand and face Leicester on Monday night.
But Erik ten Hag is aware United’s destiny is in their own hands and a victory on the South Coast would put them to within touching distance. They would need just one win from their remaining two matches, both at home, against Chelsea and Fulham to definitely secure their place in Europe’s elite competition.
Here are the latest headlines from Old Trafford.
Ten Hag on the Champions League
Ten Hag has admitted he isn’t looking too far ahead of the trip to Bournemouth this weekend despite United’s current predicament in the race for the Champions League.
The Red Devils are edging closer to Europe’s elite club prize. He said: “When I see this project, first of all it’s important to get in the Champions League, I don’t think today at that standard, I look to the next game, Bournemouth, we have to win that game to get in the Champions League.
“Focus on the game, the games coming up, the first game is the most important.”
He added: “I think as far as I can see, I think it’s really brilliant a club as Bournemouth, they are in the Premier League and three games before the end of the season they are definitely in the league next season as well. It’s massive. You can see clear patterns, so well done.”
Rashford doubt
Marcus Rashford is a doubt for Manchester United’s Premier League trip to Bournemouth tomorrow – after missing training through illness.
Rashford did not report for training with the rest of United’s squad today, after informing the club he was unwell and forced to stay at home. The England striker, who only resumed training this week following a leg injury, is therefore unlikely to fly to the south coast with the rest of the United squad ahead of tomorrow’s fixture.
United boss Erik ten Hag also revealed defender Raphael Varane is also available, after he made his return in last weekend’s 2-0 win over Wolves, while Scott McTominay has resumed training: “Rashy trained well the whole week, but today he reported he is ill,” said Ten Hag.
“We have to see how he recovers during the day and see tomorrow. Varane is definitely available. Scott joined in joined in training, when we find out how well he does in training, then we know if he’ll be in.”
Read more here.
Jones leaves Man Utd
Manchester United have confirmed that Phil Jones will leave the club at the end of the season.
The centre-back, who joined United from Blackburn in 2011, has made 229 appearances for the club. He has been sidelined through a variety of injuries and has barely played in recent years.
“Our no.4 is now taking some time before deciding his next move and everybody at United would like to wish Phil the very best of luck for the future,” the club said in a statement.
Jones said: “It’s been very difficult, the last couple of years. There’s no denying that. There is no hiding away from that. My family have been absolutely instrumental in keeping me on the straight and narrow and keeping me focused, to try to get fit and try to play more.
“And, you know, I’ve missed playing football. I missed it. You grow up playing football and all you want to do is play football. It’s all I’ve known, from such a young age, is to do what you love doing for a living. I’ve been fortunate enough to do that, albeit not as much as I would have liked.”
Read more here.
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