Erik ten Hag branded ‘jealous’ after Manchester United manager aims injury swipe at Arsenal

Erik ten Hag is “jealous” of Arsenal’s progress this season, according to Chris Sutton.

Earlier this month, the Manchester United manager lamented the idea that the Premier League leaders had their squad “totally available” while he had to deal with a number of injury concerns.

Mikel Arteta’s side have not been able to call on star summer signing Gabriel Jesus for much of the campaign, while Emile Smith Rowe has also endured a difficult season on the fitness front.

United have also been hit with a number of concerns, losing Christian Eriksen to a serious ankle problem.

Still, Sutton believes that Arsenal are simply “miles ahead” of their historic rivals at the moment even aside from any perceived fortune on availability.

“I don’t think that you can say Arsenal have been lucky with injuries” he told bettingsites.co.uk.

“The players have obviously been doing the right things and working hard. They’ll be doing stuff pre-training to make sure they’re conditioned and ready to play.

“And then warming down correctly after games. That’s not to say Manchester United players aren’t doing the same things but in some seasons you get more injuries than other seasons.

“But you know, as a consequence of Arsenal having that continuity while they’re doing so well. Ten Hag has done well but he’s probably jealous to be looking and seeing Arsenal just miles ahead of them at the minute.”

Arteta’s side lead champions Manchester City by five points heading into their final ten games of the season and resume their title challenge at home to Leeds on Sunday.

United, meanwhile, travel to top four rivals Newcastle knowing a loss would take Eddie Howe’s side above them on goal difference.