“Why Manchester United’s Players Need More Than Just Time Off to Regain Their Winning Form”

Manchester United players to have a much-needed break ahead of crucial matches

Amid the pressure and struggle to maintain a winning form, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will allow his players to have two days off after a challenging game against West Ham United’s on Sunday. This break will give them the much-needed time to recuperate, recharge their batteries and gear up for a decisive conclusion to the campaign. After playing 57 games since the World Cup, the squad has not had a clear midweek since September. The team has, therefore, been facing tight turnarounds, often necessitating training in unusual locations.

Rest critical ahead of Champions League finish

The rest offered by Ten Hag is crucial and provides a chance for the team to reset and reload. The team’s performances have been noted to dip after breaks during games, but the team has downplayed the talk about fatigue, and the manager has taken measures to avoid it becoming a psychological factor for the players.

Tiredness is somewhat psychological – a mind-set that affects the players‘ willingness to go again. “If you want, if you have the willingness, you can take it. It’s now up to the players, me and the coaching staff to be together, get the willingness in and the belief that we can take it and this team has it,” said Ten Hag.

The importance of a full week rest

Following the recent 1-0 defeat to West Ham, Ten Hag explained that it was the first time since Christmas the players have a full week to rest. He says that it is critical for the team to get the energy back and keep going, and hopefully, this would help the team’s form and ability to maintain a winning run.

David Moyes has a say

West Ham United manager, David Moyes, acknowledges the demanding fixture list, and he feels for Manchester United. He says having to play a match every 3.8 days is incredibly demanding and has taken the edge off their playing to some degree.

Ten Hag hopes to steer his team back to winning ways and move ahead of Liverpool, with a game in hand, into fourth place. United is also two points behind Newcastle in third place, having played the same number of matches.

The players‘ energy, focus, and willingness have a significant impact on the team’s winning ability. They must take responsibility as individuals, stick together as a team, and stay focused to ensure they get results as proof that they can maintain a winning form.

The remaining fixtures include matches against Bournemouth away and Chelsea and Fulham at Old Trafford, before the FA Cup final against Manchester City on June 3.