Erik ten Hag believes his Manchester United team are capable of beating ‘anyone’ after the club’s comeback win against Aston Villa.
United came from two goals down to beat Aston Villa 3-2 on Boxing Day, producing a stirring second-half fightback to return to winning ways.
The Red Devils have been beset by injury problems so far this season, but Ten Hag believes recent performances against Liverpool and Villa prove his team are capable of competing with the top teams in the Premier League.
“We proved, despite all the setbacks, not any team can deal with so many setbacks we had,” the Dutchman said at his pre-match press conference.
“Number of points we are not satisfied, but you have to be pleased. When we have all the players back, the squad is strong. Against Liverpool, Arsenal, Villa, the top three teams in the league, we went toe-to-toe. We can beat anyone.”
Ten Hag provided an update on the fitness of his squad and confirmed several senior players are nearing a first-team return.
“It will be a similar squad as we had against Villa. Mid-January we expect many players back. Mason (Mount), Casemiro, Martinez, Malacia, so we expect Harry Maguire, of course. We expect many players to return in January.”
One player who will hope to kick on from the win over Villa is Rasmus Hojlund. The Denmark international opened his Premier League account for the club with the winner and Ten Hag has backed the 20-year-old to score more goals for his side.
“I trust him, I knew he could, his goals in the Champions League showed he could. What he did as a young player in Austria and Italy. This goal will give him belief he’s going to score more goals from this point on.”
