Erik ten Hag has insisted that Manchester United were able to win the Carabao Cup because of their squad and not just the 11 starters.

The Red Devils ended their trophy drought over the weekend as they beat Newcastle United 2-0 in the final of the Carabao Cup. 

Ten Hag did not afford his players much time to celebrate as they are back in action on Wednesday night. They face West Ham United in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Fred and Luke Shaw both started against Newcastle United. The Brazil international was brought off with 20 minutes to go while the defender played the full game.

Ten Hag has revealed that there are “questions” over the fitness of the two players ahead of their midweek game in the FA Cup. Speaking during his press conference on Tuesday afternoon, he also insisted that his players need to get back to working hard.

“Get back to work,” Ten Hag told reporters.

“Of course, yesterday the players were still enthusiastic and they had to celebrate this momentum.

“But yesterday after we settled down, we got back to work and did what we had to do, which was recovery. The ones who played less [minutes in the final] did a good training session.”

Man Utd are also in contention to win the Europa League and they are third in the Premier League.

Ten Hag’s team have come a long way since they lost their first two league games of the 2022/23 campaign against Brentford and Brighton.

He has been quick to insist that the club’s recent success is down to the squad he has at his disposal.

“Let’s make myself clear: we didn’t win it with 11 players, we did win with a squad and I think the squad the whole season is so important,” Ten Hag added.

“Every time players come in – if it’s for a whole game, minutes, a couple of games, also during games, we can change dynamics – we do it with many more than 11 players, I count on them and know they will be ready.

“Every time they play they take responsibility and it’s about that but you also have to fight for your position.”

On United overcoming their poor start to this season, he continued: “I know from experience of previous jobs it takes time before you get into a way of playing, before you get into the rules of principles.

“The right results weren’t there at the start of the season. I didn’t panic because it was part of the process.

“You find out a lot in those weeks – when you lose it’s not nice, you hate to lose but you also get some good lessons.”