Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, has been urged by Richard Keys to "go back to the Eredivisie" if he doesn't enjoy the hectic pace of the Premier League.
Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial both scored a goal in each half of United's 2-0 victory over Everton on Saturday to boost their chances of finishing in the top four.
After losing to Newcastle United last Sunday and defeating Brentford at Old Trafford on Wednesday night with a ten-man team as they continue to battle on three fronts this season, it was their third game in six days. Because of that, Marcus Rashford was forced to leave the game on Saturday after 81 minutes due to an apparent groin strain.
Ten Hag claimed the injury was "avoidable" and attributed it to United's frantic schedule of games.
The United manager's worries have been mocked by BeIN SPORTS broadcaster Richard Keys, who has repeatedly poked fun at ten Hag throughout the season. Keys told ten Hag that he is free to play Dutch football again if he doesn't like what he sees.
Keys sent a message to Ten Hag and stated: Erik, as regards the scheduling and injuries, it’s the English Premier League. If you don’t like it, there is always of course Eredivisie, where you can go and ply your trade."
Marcus Rashford, who has 28 goals for United this season, will have further evaluation after ten Hag said during the game that his striker "doesn't look well."
I can’t say in this moment, you are doctor, maybe? I am not.’ ten Hag added. ‘I We have to wait, how bad or how good it is. Obviously he went off with a complaint, now we have to wait, set a diagnosis and we will see."
‘Some things you can’t avoid but it was avoidable. Why is the Premier League giving us the late Sunday night game [last week vs. Newcastle] and giving us the early Saturday game? I think it’s not right."
‘You run the risk, the players can’t recover that quickly, we know all research that players need a certain period to recover and it accumulates. So then you run even more of a risk. It’s also part of the schedule that we now find ourselves in this situation and now we can only pray he is not dropping off."
Erik Ten Hag didn't stop there he went further to compare the Red Devils to the rest of the Premier League rivals.
"Not any manager at this stage of the season will rotate so much. I know it’s the toughest league, of all the leagues we are in you need a squad to rotate to a certain point."
"But this was avoidable, it was not necessary to set the schedule like we have now. I think another fact is more important than the sporting element like protecting the players. Today we have seen a very entertaining afternoon but players can’t do it so often when they’re not fresh."
"We create a lot of chances but missing the chances is part of a lack of freshness in the final moment and the risk of injuries. We have to protect the players and it’s in the interests of the total football. Everyone, the audience, wants to see great football and you need to have your best players," He asserted.
The Manager will be hoping the team's top scorer, Marcus Rashford will be fit for the team's trip to Seville, Spain for the first leg of their Europa League quarter finals tie with Sevilla on Thursday night.
Meanwhile, the 53 year old will be hoping Anthony Martial stays fit so as to deliver goals on occasions like that of Saturday afternoon, as he came off bench to double Manchester United's lead in the 70th minutes. Erik Ten Hag has challenged the 27 year old to step up in Marcus Rashford's absence.
"We have seen it already when he is on the pitch it makes a difference to the team. See Liverpool, see Man City games."
"We have to keep him fit, he has to keep himself fit and will contribute. He’s a threat for the opponent and he’s one who can be clinical," Erik Ten Hag claimed.
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