Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is approaching every single game this season with a winning mindset, as the Reds begin our Premier League campaign at home to Brighton today.
After a positive pre-season, the new era will properly get under way at Old Trafford from 14:00 BST.
Our new Dutch manager sat down with club media’s Stewart Gardner on Friday to preview the game, and he discussed how he plans to install a new culture and ethos at United…
Erik, I wonder if you could start with saying if you’ve got any team news for us? I know fans will have read that Anthony Martial might be out this weekend. I wonder what you can tell us about the team news?
“Yeah, it’s true unfortunately. He will not make it for the season’s start.”
That’s a shame, because he was in good form obviously over pre-season...
“Yeah he was, but it’s the team. He had a really good pre-season but when he’s not available the other players have to do it. We have players, we have solutions in the squad who can fulfil that position.”
After the last few months, do you feel ready for this new season?
“I really look forward [to it]. It’s really exciting to start on Sunday and we had a pretty good pre-season. I think the squad works really well. We progress, we bring in a way of playing and we’re looking forward to start the season.”
Do you feel the players have really responded to you and your staff over the past couple of months?
“Yeah I think we came together during pre-season and therefore the tour was good because all day you are together, so we came, I think it’s quite good to be home again and it’s a collective and now we have to show it on the pitch.”
As for the new season, the Premier League season, do you have an aim for this season, for what your aim might be for United this season?
“This is important. We are Man United, we have to win every game. That will be the approach for every game.”
You’re used to winning games, you’re used to winning trophies in your previous job. What is the key to building a winning, successful team?
“It is constructing a winning culture, and it starts in the week at Carrington. By high standards, by good values and work. Work on the way of playing and in the end you will achieve success.”
What about the importance of making Old Trafford something of a fortress, a place where clubs don’t want to come? Making it a difficult place for opposition teams?
“I feel the vibe in Old Trafford, and that the team has to be an example for the fans by being brave and working hard and co-operating and then the vibe will return to the pitch from the fans, I am convinced of that.”
Are you enjoying the job? It’s a big job, are you enjoying it, have you enjoyed the last couple of months? It’s a busy job!
“Yeah it is a busy job, but I don’t hate working so no problem, and especially not when you are in football. The best is to be a football player, but if that is not possible anymore, be a coach, be a manager. It’s a great job so I get a lot of energy out of it and I hope to bring it over to my team.”
So there’s nothing quite like playing, but management is pretty close?
“Yes, so it is! [laughs]”
Will it be something of a strange season, with a six-week break in the middle of the season because of the World Cup? Is that a difficult thing to plan for?
“Yeah, it’s clear and we have to take account with the fact and we did already when you make your squad and also of course in the planning, in the periodisation, in the programme so it’s a lot to take account of, yeah.”
It will be a proud moment for you, and your family, to be in charge of what we say is the biggest club in the world, in the biggest league in the world, with the Premier League. I just wonder at the start if it will be a proud moment for you?
“Yeah of course, and that’s why I’m looking forward, but in the end of the day, we have to win.”
And it’s against a Brighton team who had a very good season last year, and Graham Potter doing a great job. I wonder what you make of them and what sort of test it will be for us on Sunday?
“It’s going to be a tough opponent, it’s clear. Because they have a good team, they have a team that has been together a long time. They have a great coach who has been in co-operation for a long time, so their philosophy, their style is quite clear, and they have automatism so it’s going to be a tough opponent but I’m convinced for a good result on Sunday. When we play well, we have a really good chance to win the game.”