Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says it will be “very difficult” to qualify for the Champions League following the defeat to Chelsea on Thursday night.

The Red Devils are now 9 points behind 5th place Tottenham heading into Sunday’s clash against Liverpool and, speaking about his team’s chances, ten Hag said:

“I have high standards and I would be disappointed if we didn’t qualify. I know it will be very difficult because we are not in a good position. But we want to win every game, that is the standard we have here among each other. We will keep going and keep believing in those standards.

“I know we are not in a good position. We have to catch up. Also, I know we have had a lot of [injury] problems so I am a realistic man. In a competition that is so competitive and the teams are so close in terms of levels with each other, then you need the players to be available to make a consistent team to bring the routines in your way of play.”

Injuries have taken their toll on the squad

United were forced into substituting three players due to fitness problems against Chelsea, with Raphael Varane, Casemiro and Jonny Evans all having to come off.

It means that there are nine members of the first-team squad in the treatment room. Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Altay Bayindir and Anthony Martial are the other players currently unavailable. As ten Hag points out, having so many sidelined has hindered the team’s performances this season.

United need a result versus Liverpool

To stand any chance of getting back into the race for Champions League qualification, the Red Devils must secure the three points when they take on the league leaders this weekend.

After beating them at Old Trafford in the FA Cup only a few weeks ago, ten Hag knows his team are capable of getting a victory but it will still be a tough task.