Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag says winger Alejandro Garnacho has apologised for liking a tweet that criticised the Dutchman following the draw at Bournemouth last weekend.
Garnacho was substituted at half-time at the Vitality Stadium and later liked a tweet that claimed Ten Hag had “thrown him under the bus”.
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Ten Hag has spoken to the Argentina international and, ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City, said it is time to focus on on-field matters.
He said: “Alejandro is a young player, has to learn a lot. He apologised for it and after that we move on.”
United have won just one of their last seven Premier League games, a run that has seen them slip to seventh in the table.
That means the FA Cup has taken on even greater importance but Ten Hag is wary of a Coventry side he described as “dangerous” under former United striker Mark Robins.
He added: “We have done our job and we are prepared. We know their team, we know how they play, their individual abilities and we know their manager, he’s doing a fantastic job.
“Of course, they are dangerous, they are in the semi-final. Last season they were close to [reaching] the Premier League. We saw their game against Wolves [in the quarter-final]. The mentality of the team is fabulous and we have to play to our best levels.”
🚨 The boss expects @HarryMaguire93, @McTominay10 and @Antony00 to be available on Sunday 💪#MUFC || #FACup
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 19, 2024
Ten Hag is backing Brazil midfielder Casemiro to put a poor season behind him and come good when it really matters, starting at Wembley.
He said: “We needed a six when I arrived here and, last season, Casemiro was fantastic. I don’t think he ever scored so many goals. He was so important for the team.
“This season he has struggled with a bad injury but I know he is such a winner, just see his career. Always he has won. Wherever he was, there has been success.
“I trust that he will also give us success. He needs games but I am very optimistic about him, he’s a fighter and that’s why he has won big trophies. He’s a very important player for us.”
Antony and Scott McTominay should be fit after missing the Bournemouth game while Ten Hag also expects Harry Maguire to be available.
“Yeah, Antony and Scott I expect them to be back,” he said. “Scott didn’t train all week, partial on Wednesday, today I expect him full. Antony did train the whole week.”
“As I’ve already said, Harry, all game against Bournemouth, he struggled. He had an issue. He had a small injury and didn’t train this week, so far. But, now, he’s back on the pitch. So we expect him, today, back in the team training. He will be available, I think and I hope, for Sunday.”
