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Erik ten Hag challenges Manchester United youngsters to impress in mid-season friendlies

Ten Hag challenges Man United youngsters to impress in mid-season friendlies
© Reuters
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag sets out his plans for his team's two mid-season friendlies with Cadiz and Real Betis.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that the team's two mid-season friendlies against Cadiz and Real Betis will provide the perfect opportunity for the youngsters in the squad to impress.

The Red Devils are currently in Spain on a week-long training camp, and they will take on Cadiz in a friendly on Wednesday evening before facing Real Betis on Saturday.

Man United will then head back to Manchester to prepare for their next competitive match, which comes against Burnley in the fourth round of the EFL Cup on December 21.

The 20-time English champions are without a number of familiar players in Spain due to the 2022 World Cup, so a whole host of youngsters have been named in the squad.

Ten Hag has now detailed his plans for the upcoming two matches with the La Liga outfits.

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag serving symbolism on August 7, 2022© Reuters

"It's the normal objectives for every training camp but certainly to get back into the rhythm of the game," Ten Hag told MUTV. "So first, fitness levels and then second, the way of playing. But we are here with a mixed team, so I have to talk about several objectives.

"We have a lot of young players with us as well and they have to support us but they can show us what they have to offer, what their capabilities are and what their potential is and if you can use them, if they have a future.

"I think it's a great opportunity for them. Normally we don't have this break and now we have this break. Many players are at the World Cup, so there are positions available and they [the young players] can get used in these positions.

"They can show themselves and they can challenge players who play in the Premier League, so it's fantastic for them.

"[It's] not [just] to keep fit, [it's] to get fitter and to improve in the fitness levels. If we see the season so far, especially in the front line, we didn't always have the players available.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag on August 13, 2022© Reuters

"When they were available, they were not always capable of being at the right fitness levels to compete.

"This is an important objective: to fill that gap, to close that gap and that we are better after the winter, in the restart. To be better and to compete and to match the fitness levels in the Premier League and in the top four.

"I think they are two good opponents playing in La Liga, which we all know is a good competition, so we know it'll be a challenge in both games.

"Cadiz played against Real Madrid in their last game and only lost 2-1, so we know it's a tough opponent. And Betis also, we know, it's a really good opponent, so we are really looking forward to working on our way of play. As I said, it's a good challenge and a fantastic opportunity to show themselves."

David de Gea, Victor Lindelof, Scott McTominay, Donny van de Beek, Anthony Martial, Alejandro Garnacho and Anthony Elanga could all be in the United XI against Cadiz on Wednesday night.

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