Erik ten Hag claims he’s only had his ‘favourite’ team once and it included two departed stars and Luke Shaw over Harry Maguire

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has claimed that he has only been able to pick his ‘favourite’ side once in the past 18 months.

The Red Devils boss defended his tenure at Old Trafford by revealing his full squad has only been available to him once in 106 matches.

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Ten Hag is set for a second successive FA Cup semi-final when United face Championship outfit Coventry City on Sunday at Wembley.

The Dutchman has seen his thread-bare options reduced by a further three for the game after more injuries continued to ravage the club.

Sofyan Amrabat, Mason Mount and Willy Kambwala are all sidelined, with former club captain Harry Maguire also a doubt for the game.

Ten Hag was already missing the likes of Anthony Martial, Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans, and Victor Lindelof for one of the biggest moments of his time in charge.

United sit seventh in the Premier League, with the FA Cup representing their last chance to salvage a disappointing season.

Ten Hag has come under fire for the current crisis, but he has hit back with the bold suggestion that he’s never been able to pick a fully fit squad.

The one exception during his 18-month reign was the 2-1 victory against Manchester City at Old Trafford in January 2023.

“In 18 months I have never had my favourite team on the pitch, because the players are injured. That concerns me,” said Ten Hag.

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“In fact, one time against Man City last season in the home game – that was the only time we had a full squad when I could pick my team.

“In all the other games, there was always an injury aspect that we had to deal with. That’s normal in football, but not as many as we have had.

“When you have so many injuries as we have had in crucial, key positions, you can’t deliver the results you want. That’s my truth. Others can have different truths, but I can’t put energy into that.”

The game in question where Ten Hag had his full squad at his disposal saw United come from behind to beat their city rivals.

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The former Ajax boss started David de Gea in goal, who has since been replaced by Andre Onana between the sticks.

With Martinez, Maguire, and Lindelof all on the bench, Ten Hag opted for left-back Shaw to partner Varane in central defence, with Malacia – who has been unavailable all season – out wide.

Fred, who was allowed to complete a cut-price exit to Fenerbahce last summer, was given the nod to be Casemiro‘s midfield partner.

Club-record signing Antony was on the bench alongside Alejandro Garncho and Kobbie Mainoo.

Instead, Ten Hag started current skipper Bruno Fernandes on the right, with Marcus Rashford on the opposite flank.

Christian Eriksen has been an unused substitute in nine of United’s last ten Premier League games, but he started in the No.10 role.

And then Anthony Martial – who has already been told he will leave at the end of the season – led the line on his own in attack.

After a cagey first half, Jack Grealish came off the bench to head City in front but Fernandes swept home a controversial equaliser before Rashford poked home the winner just two minutes later.