Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag insists his side must maintain high standards, as we prepare to take on Wolves in our final match of the calendar year later today (12:30 GMT).
The Reds have returned to domestic football in fine fettle over the past 10 days, seeing off both Burnley and Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford, scoring five goals without conceding.
Ten Hag's side are now set to face Julen Lopetegui's side in the West Midlands later today, and the Dutchman says his players must be both 'motivated and confident' in order to achieve a positive result at Molineux.
Erik was also keen to pay tribute to Pele, following his recent passing, as well as provide team news ahead of the encounter.
You can read, and watch, all of Ten Hag's exclusive interview with club media below...
Ten Hag's side are now set to face Julen Lopetegui's side in the West Midlands later today, and the Dutchman says his players must be both 'motivated and confident' in order to achieve a positive result at Molineux.
Erik was also keen to pay tribute to Pele, following his recent passing, as well as provide team news ahead of the encounter.
You can read, and watch, all of Ten Hag's exclusive interview with club media below...
Firstly, Erik, what is your reaction to the sad news that Pele has passed away?
''It’s really sad news. One of the biggest [players], maybe the biggest ever, has passed away and I send my condolences to his family and to the whole community of football. We lost a big personality, a great football player, a winner of three World Cup titles which is massive and over 1000 goals. He was very elegant and I think he changed the game and he was a gentleman in every perspective.''
Turning attentions to United, it’s great to see Lisandro Martinez back , and from the training images it looks like he was straight back to business. How would you describe his mentality after such a high?
''He’s tough. Of course it’s an unbelievable highlight for him, when you win the World Cup with your team then [there are] celebrations in Argentina where there is passion all around. He has come back and you can see his confidence has even increased. He’s so happy, but now he is back here with both feet on the ground because he knows that in every game now he is a World Cup winner and every opponent is even more focused and convinced to beat him, so he has to do better than he already was. I’m sure every player who played at the World Cup will be a better player after it and when you win it, you definitely are.''
''It’s really sad news. One of the biggest [players], maybe the biggest ever, has passed away and I send my condolences to his family and to the whole community of football. We lost a big personality, a great football player, a winner of three World Cup titles which is massive and over 1000 goals. He was very elegant and I think he changed the game and he was a gentleman in every perspective.''
Turning attentions to United, it’s great to see Lisandro Martinez back , and from the training images it looks like he was straight back to business. How would you describe his mentality after such a high?
''He’s tough. Of course it’s an unbelievable highlight for him, when you win the World Cup with your team then [there are] celebrations in Argentina where there is passion all around. He has come back and you can see his confidence has even increased. He’s so happy, but now he is back here with both feet on the ground because he knows that in every game now he is a World Cup winner and every opponent is even more focused and convinced to beat him, so he has to do better than he already was. I’m sure every player who played at the World Cup will be a better player after it and when you win it, you definitely are.''
After being forced to play Casemiro and Luke Shaw at centre-back, you must be excited to have all your centre-backs ready for the second half of the season?
''Harry [Maguire] and Rapha [Varane] had great World Cups too. At least we had two clean sheets [against Burnley and Nottingham Forest] and our team is about being hard to beat. We attack with 11 and we defend with 11 and that’s why we are hard to beat when we are disciplined and all 11 are doing the defensive work. It makes it easier for our back four and our goalie and if there is a situation then they are there and are present, and we are happy with that. We have more combinations we can play and I think it’s a good thing for a manager and coaching staff to have that in your squad especially with the number of games we have. We can pick them from game to game and look at what is the best [combination] and we have great combinations.''
Is there any team news to report ahead of the Wolves match?
''I think we are in a good direction. Most players are back in training. We have to see after the last training session who we pick, we have an idea but I want to speak with the medical department then we make our decisions.''
Has it been difficult to prepare for this match given their change in manager?
''It’s their first home game [under new manager Julen Lopetegui] but you don’t look too much at the opponent. We have a lot of respect for them. They have a good team, good players and they had a good win against Everton and they will be motivated and confident about it, but we have to play our game and make our own game. That demands a huge focus and huge effort to get the right result if we want that. It’s about that willingness - we want to win and we want to finish this year with a win so we have to put everything in we have.''
''Harry [Maguire] and Rapha [Varane] had great World Cups too. At least we had two clean sheets [against Burnley and Nottingham Forest] and our team is about being hard to beat. We attack with 11 and we defend with 11 and that’s why we are hard to beat when we are disciplined and all 11 are doing the defensive work. It makes it easier for our back four and our goalie and if there is a situation then they are there and are present, and we are happy with that. We have more combinations we can play and I think it’s a good thing for a manager and coaching staff to have that in your squad especially with the number of games we have. We can pick them from game to game and look at what is the best [combination] and we have great combinations.''
Is there any team news to report ahead of the Wolves match?
''I think we are in a good direction. Most players are back in training. We have to see after the last training session who we pick, we have an idea but I want to speak with the medical department then we make our decisions.''
Has it been difficult to prepare for this match given their change in manager?
''It’s their first home game [under new manager Julen Lopetegui] but you don’t look too much at the opponent. We have a lot of respect for them. They have a good team, good players and they had a good win against Everton and they will be motivated and confident about it, but we have to play our game and make our own game. That demands a huge focus and huge effort to get the right result if we want that. It’s about that willingness - we want to win and we want to finish this year with a win so we have to put everything in we have.''
Is it fair to say analysts are the unsung heroes of football? They do so much work behind the scenes that is crucial to the team and we saw the positive impact with the corner against Nottingham Forest, for example, exploiting their one-to-one marking…
“Of course, it was a moment where they get creation and they show how valuable they are. They are working really hard to prepare the team in the right way. It’s then down to the team to execute it and it’s a great feeling when you do it with so many people and that the players can execute it. We work hard for it and it’s good also for their motivation and that it’s not for nothing.''
Is Julen Lopetegui someone you admire and, if so, what do you like about his teams?
''He has a lot of variations and always wants to surprise you and we have to prepare for that and make sure we are ready for that game.''