Erik ten Hag insists Manchester United are ‘very confident’ ahead of their Premier League opener against Wolves at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag’s team host Wolves in their first fixture of the Premier League season on Monday evening, as the Red Devils look to start the season with a positive result.
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United opened last season with back-to-back league defeats to Brighton and Brentford during a difficult start for Ten Hag in English football, but the Dutchman is confident that his side’s pre-season preparations can lead to improvement this time around.
“You never can compare seasons. We are much further on than last season; we’ve had a very good pre-season, fitness levels are very good, performance levels were on a high level,” Ten Hag told his pre-match press conference.
“We’re very confident. Pre-season doesn’t say anything, it is friendly football, and going for points is different for all teams.”
United are set to be without summer signing Rasmus Hojland against Wolves, with the £72m recruit nursing a back injury.
Reports this week claimed the 20-year-old’s problem was worse than first feared, but Ten Hag has alleviated fears and confirmed Hojland’s absence is down to a ‘small issue’.
“He has a small issue, not on the levels where other players are. We have to train him.”
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