Ten Hag stresses importance of League Cup ahead of Barnsley clash
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reaffirmed his commitment to winning the League Cup, calling the competition “significant” ahead of their third-round match against Barnsley on Tuesday. Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Monday, Ten Hag emphasized the value of trophies in football, despite some top clubs viewing the League Cup as a lesser priority.
Ten Hag guided United to a League Cup victory in his first season in charge in 2022/23, followed by an FA Cup triumph last term, despite a disappointing eighth-place finish in the Premier League. He dismissed suggestions that the club should now focus only on more prestigious honors, stating, “It’s very important in football to win trophies. You have five opportunities, and our aim is always to win all the games.”
United, currently 10th in the Premier League, head into the tie on the back of a 3-0 win over Southampton. Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui, and Matthijs de Ligt were substituted with injuries in that game, but ten Hag confirmed that the trio will be available for selection against Barnsley. Meanwhile, Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount, and Victor Lindelof remain sidelined.
