Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag spoke to the media on Monday, ahead of our Champions League group-stage match against FC Copenhagen this week.
A large part of the press conference's focus was understandably on the late, great Sir Bobby Charlton, who sadly passed away on Saturday, with a minute's silence being held by Ten Hag, Diogo Dalot and all in attendance at our Carrington training ground.
Ahead of Tuesday's match against the Danish outfit at Old Trafford (20:00 BST kick-off), Erik was asked about former Copenhagen and now United striker Rasmus Hojlund, the fitness of his squad, and what he thinks will be an 'emotional' night at the Theatre of Dreams.
You can read every word from Ten Hag's press conference below...
It has been a difficult couple of days for the club. What has the atmosphere been like?
Just turning attention to the game are you likely to have any players back from injury?
“Yes we hope. I said it also last Friday, Sergio [Reguilon], he got ill for Saturday. He was fit. He trained all week last week and yesterday he was for part back in training. Today he will train and then we have to assess if he is ready and game fit or if he can be involved in the squad. We have to wait for that.”
What prompted that development, for him to be available?
“We have to see if he is part of the squad for tomorrow.”
“As you say, [Sir] Bobby was a legend. A giant. Not only for Manchester United but for football. His legacy was [massive], so what he left were the standards. The high standards we have to live every day and of course, first of all, our thoughts are with his family. With his wife, with his children, with his grandchildren but what he meant for Manchester United, the importance. The standards he set we have to live and the last couple of days, they were emphasised.”
Just turning attention to the game are you likely to have any players back from injury?
“Yes we hope. I said it also last Friday, Sergio [Reguilon], he got ill for Saturday. He was fit. He trained all week last week and yesterday he was for part back in training. Today he will train and then we have to assess if he is ready and game fit or if he can be involved in the squad. We have to wait for that.”
What prompted that development, for him to be available?
“We have to see if he is part of the squad for tomorrow.”
Is it easy to put the emotion of tomorrow aside and concentrate on what is a really important game for the football club?
Can I just ask you, given the state of the group is it must-win against FC Copenhagen?
“We have to win every game but if you see the group, yeah, if you lose the first two games then definitely you have to win, yeah.”
Erik, obviously a disappointing result against Galatasaray but one of the positives was Rasmus Hojlund. Do you feel that game offered a glimpse into that real potential he has and they're the sort of moments to excited United fans?
“So first of all, we have to focus on our routines. He missed pre-season, he missed the first four games but from the moment he came in, he gave the team a lot. But when the routines, the combinations and the co-operation will be better, I think that split moment will give him more time and make better decisions to score more goals. But I think the goals you reference against Galatasaray were definitely two brilliant goals. As well, also the one in Munich. But I think he is a player he is always in scoring positions in our team and I am sure, I am confident as well as for Marcus Rashford, the same. They will always, in every game, when we as a team do what we have to do, they will always be in scoring positions. Then it is about the finishing. When you analyse all the games so far, we have seen that they are in scoring positions.”
“Yeah, of course. We are professionals. It is our job but you can't ban emotions. But use the emotions in the right way. I think Diogo [Dalot] did very good on Saturday and he scored a goal so in the memory of Bobby Charlton. I saw a goal from him I think it was from Wembley, it was from distance like Diogo did. So we use that in that way.”
Can I just ask you, given the state of the group is it must-win against FC Copenhagen?
“We have to win every game but if you see the group, yeah, if you lose the first two games then definitely you have to win, yeah.”
Erik, obviously a disappointing result against Galatasaray but one of the positives was Rasmus Hojlund. Do you feel that game offered a glimpse into that real potential he has and they're the sort of moments to excited United fans?
“So first of all, we have to focus on our routines. He missed pre-season, he missed the first four games but from the moment he came in, he gave the team a lot. But when the routines, the combinations and the co-operation will be better, I think that split moment will give him more time and make better decisions to score more goals. But I think the goals you reference against Galatasaray were definitely two brilliant goals. As well, also the one in Munich. But I think he is a player he is always in scoring positions in our team and I am sure, I am confident as well as for Marcus Rashford, the same. They will always, in every game, when we as a team do what we have to do, they will always be in scoring positions. Then it is about the finishing. When you analyse all the games so far, we have seen that they are in scoring positions.”
Christian Eriksen hasn't started a game since 20 September and against Sheffield United he started on the bench when Casemiro was out through injury. How far is he from the team and is it just that he is not good enough at the moment to start a game?
And just to sum up, what is the reason why he is not starting then?
“We have many good players. We don't have a squad with 11. We have a squad where there is internal competition and in the back we have some struggle to line up. We don't have so many numbers but in the midfield department there is huge competition internally in our squad.”
Would it be a fitting tribute for the team to win this game tomorrow night, given it's the first one at home since he passed away?
“Definitely. First we want to win, to tribute Sir Bobby Charlton but also you want to do that in a certain way and that is what we are aiming for but it is not always possible in football. Sometimes you don't play that well and you have to find a way to win. I was happy on Saturday we could show tribute by winning but also the way we scored that second goal.”
“Definitely [he was on the bench] but he takes part in every game. You see his importance when he is on the pitch he has a big influence on our team by creating. He is a great player, he is a brilliant player and is very important for our squad.”
And just to sum up, what is the reason why he is not starting then?
“We have many good players. We don't have a squad with 11. We have a squad where there is internal competition and in the back we have some struggle to line up. We don't have so many numbers but in the midfield department there is huge competition internally in our squad.”
Would it be a fitting tribute for the team to win this game tomorrow night, given it's the first one at home since he passed away?
“Definitely. First we want to win, to tribute Sir Bobby Charlton but also you want to do that in a certain way and that is what we are aiming for but it is not always possible in football. Sometimes you don't play that well and you have to find a way to win. I was happy on Saturday we could show tribute by winning but also the way we scored that second goal.”
Rasmus Hojlund, he plays against his former club tomorrow. Do you sense from Rasmus that this is going to be a special match for him?
I just wanted to ask you, [Anthony] Martial and Hojlund are excellent strikers and Martial's hold-up play is great. Have you every considered playing them together?
“It is possible. They can play together. So far we didn't do that in games but I can see that they can play together because Anthony Martial is also able to play from a side.”
Just wanted to ask you what kind of atmosphere you are expecting and as a coach how do you harness it?
“I think it is always special every night in Old Trafford. The fans are always so behind us and always a strong bond. Remember the last home game against Brentford, even when the game is not going in our direction, they stayed behind us. In difficult moments, in moments when there is adversity around Manchester United the fans are still with us and we are with the fans. We are fighting together. Definitely tomorrow, after the passing away of Sir Bobby Charlton - their hero, their legend, a giant, I am sure that [it ] will be even more very emotional [tomorrow] evening. I expect [that] tomorrow night.”
Erik, you have been asked about a tribute tomorrow night but do you see Sir Bobby's spirit as something that can inspire you to go on and be successful this season and repeat some of the success you had last year?
“So, he is in front of Old Trafford with Denis Law and with George Best and he is always with us. They are always a huge inspiration for us every day, and so in every game.”
“When you have a little bit of empathetic ability, you know it is a special game for him. He grew up there, in this club and you know he will be highly motivated but that's for me, for the team and of course for him to send that in the right direction, the right balance.”
I just wanted to ask you, [Anthony] Martial and Hojlund are excellent strikers and Martial's hold-up play is great. Have you every considered playing them together?
“It is possible. They can play together. So far we didn't do that in games but I can see that they can play together because Anthony Martial is also able to play from a side.”
Just wanted to ask you what kind of atmosphere you are expecting and as a coach how do you harness it?
“I think it is always special every night in Old Trafford. The fans are always so behind us and always a strong bond. Remember the last home game against Brentford, even when the game is not going in our direction, they stayed behind us. In difficult moments, in moments when there is adversity around Manchester United the fans are still with us and we are with the fans. We are fighting together. Definitely tomorrow, after the passing away of Sir Bobby Charlton - their hero, their legend, a giant, I am sure that [it ] will be even more very emotional [tomorrow] evening. I expect [that] tomorrow night.”
Erik, you have been asked about a tribute tomorrow night but do you see Sir Bobby's spirit as something that can inspire you to go on and be successful this season and repeat some of the success you had last year?
“So, he is in front of Old Trafford with Denis Law and with George Best and he is always with us. They are always a huge inspiration for us every day, and so in every game.”