Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag discussed Altay Bayindir and Anthony Martial, as well as the shock news regarding his Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp, when speaking at his pre-match press conference for our Emirates FA Cup fourth-round tie at Newport County.
The Reds will take on the Exiles for the very first time in a competitive fixture when the sides meet on Sunday (16:30 GMT), and Ten Hag answered the media's questions ahead of our encounter with the League Two outfit.
Erik spoke about Klopp's decision to depart Liverpool at the end of the season, whether Altay Bayindir will start at Rodney Parade, his January transfer plans and more, and you can read every word from his press conference below...
Jurgen Klopp announced that he will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season. What is your reaction to that?
Looking ahead to Sunday's game, players are coming back - and what is your decision going to be on the goalkeeper? A lot of people are excited to see Bayindir...
“Yeah, he will be in the goal.”
What can people expect from him?
“I think it is clear what we can expect from him. He waits for his chances but he is experienced. He played for a big club in Turkey where there is big pressure. He knows how to deal with it and we are all very convinced when we brought him into this club. That is not a decision for just one man. We are looking forward to Sunday. Altay is very motivated, of course, and he can't wait for this moment. Now, this is his moment.”
“It is no good for the Premier League. He has made an era there. He built the club and brought the club back where they belong. So congratulations on that. He has done an amazing job at Liverpool.”
Looking ahead to Sunday's game, players are coming back - and what is your decision going to be on the goalkeeper? A lot of people are excited to see Bayindir...
“Yeah, he will be in the goal.”
What can people expect from him?
“I think it is clear what we can expect from him. He waits for his chances but he is experienced. He played for a big club in Turkey where there is big pressure. He knows how to deal with it and we are all very convinced when we brought him into this club. That is not a decision for just one man. We are looking forward to Sunday. Altay is very motivated, of course, and he can't wait for this moment. Now, this is his moment.”
Did you have any thought about not picking him? This is a very specific game in a small ground and tough atmosphere, for someone to make his debut...
Yeah, I have. It is a bit bigger than Newport...
“Yeah, but I have to say the pressure is [bigger]. Also in Turkey, that is big pressure. In the national team, so he knows how to deal with that.”
What about you? Most of your cup games were at Old Trafford last season. How will you feel going to a game like that? Is it something you thrive on, the atmosphere?
“At Ajax, we also played against lower-league teams.”
Do you think it will be tough?
“I know always when you go as a big club to a lower-league team, you have to approach that and definitely us, we are definitely not in the position to underestimate any opponent so we will not do.”
“Have you been to Fenerbahce?”
Yeah, I have. It is a bit bigger than Newport...
“Yeah, but I have to say the pressure is [bigger]. Also in Turkey, that is big pressure. In the national team, so he knows how to deal with that.”
What about you? Most of your cup games were at Old Trafford last season. How will you feel going to a game like that? Is it something you thrive on, the atmosphere?
“At Ajax, we also played against lower-league teams.”
Do you think it will be tough?
“I know always when you go as a big club to a lower-league team, you have to approach that and definitely us, we are definitely not in the position to underestimate any opponent so we will not do.”
With Anthony Martial out until April, is there any chance you will look to bring another striker in?
Now you are out of Europe and the title is too far away for you, does the FA Cup have even more significance to you?
“It is the truth, but it is true that the league and of course qualification for the Champions League [is important] but also, the FA Cup is probably the last opportunity for a trophy. So we will go for it.”
“I looked. But there is no space. No space in FFP [Financial Fair Play] to do something about this lack of quantity in the striker position and of course, we have Rashford who can play as a striker. I think also we have some other alternatives, creative [solutions], but it is clear that now Anthony is out for a couple of weeks [and] months, it is a gap in our squad.”
Now you are out of Europe and the title is too far away for you, does the FA Cup have even more significance to you?
“It is the truth, but it is true that the league and of course qualification for the Champions League [is important] but also, the FA Cup is probably the last opportunity for a trophy. So we will go for it.”
Jurgen Klopp said that after nine years he basically has run out of energy. Can you understand that, being at a similar high-profile club?
What have you made of the first few weeks of INEOS here, and the energy it has provided around the place?
“It gives spirit in this whole club. Everyone noticed that this club is going into a period of changes because we want to achieve high targets. So the standards have to change. We started with this one-and-a-half years ago but I think INEOS and me are very aligned in this, we understand that we have to change. We started the process last year with the dressing room but also many departments. I am also very happy that I get the support and that also other departments have to raise the standards, have to collaborate more and INEOS can help with that.”
“I understand that. Nine years is a long time. And it is a period by building up, achieving targets. But also I think with setbacks and going into difficult periods, the Premier League is very intense in that combination with European football. So nine years is a big period and it is understandable that he is running out of energy, [and that] is one of his arguments, to step down.”
What have you made of the first few weeks of INEOS here, and the energy it has provided around the place?
“It gives spirit in this whole club. Everyone noticed that this club is going into a period of changes because we want to achieve high targets. So the standards have to change. We started with this one-and-a-half years ago but I think INEOS and me are very aligned in this, we understand that we have to change. We started the process last year with the dressing room but also many departments. I am also very happy that I get the support and that also other departments have to raise the standards, have to collaborate more and INEOS can help with that.”