Erik ten Hag shares concern that injury-ridden Manchester United “not ready” | Back Pages Tonight

Back Pages Tonight: A First Look at the Sports Stories in the Morning’s Newspapers

Tonight on Sky Sports News, we bring you a first look at the sports stories in the morning’s newspapers. Joining us tonight are Jonathan New from The Guardian and John Cross, Chief Writer at The Mirror.

As we run through the pages, we see that The Telegraph leads with Eric Ten Hag, pictured in training with Manchester United, but with concerns about injuries and a disjointed summer. The Times features Matias Zeqiri and Marcus Rashford, with Ten Hag saying United are not ready for the season. The Sun goes with "Ready Set No", highlighting United’s struggles, while The Express features Eric Ten Hag aiming for the top again, ahead of the Friday Night Football kick-off.

The Guardian’s Sonia Pastor checks in at Chelsea, aiming to build on Hazard’s legacy and adapt to the Women’s Super League, now under new ownership. The Mirror’s 10 Cup headline says Eric Ten Hag believes United can dethrone Manchester City.

We’re joined by Eric Ten Hag, who says United have the players to fight for the Premier League title. When asked about his team’s readiness for the season, he admits they’re not 100% ready, citing injuries and a disjointed preseason.

Jonathan New and John Cross join us to discuss the mixed messages from Ten Hag, with Jonathan saying it’s whether you want to take a positive or negative view of the situation. John Cross believes the Manchester United manager is trying to lay the foundations for a realistic approach to the season.

We also discuss the news that Spurs have suspended Eve Basuma for their opener at Leicester on Monday Night Football, after footage emerged of him inhaling laughing gas, which is illegal. John Cross applauds Spurs’ decision, saying it’s a responsible one, while Jonathan wonders why the manager felt the need to make a public statement about it.

Moving on to referees, we discuss the recent decision to keep their allegiances private. John Cross believes it’s the right decision, saying referees are under enough pressure already, while Jonathan thinks it’s a complex issue that will continue to rear its head throughout the season.

Finally, we touch on the story of Calvin Phillips, who is set to join Ipswich Town from Manchester City, in an attempt to reignite his career with the Premier League newcomers.

Thank you to Jonathan and John for joining us tonight. We’ll continue to get your opinions throughout the season.

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