Ten Hag: A big week awaits
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes the Reds are prepared for an important period in our season, despite our recent loss to Arsenal.
United face not one but two cup tests in the coming days, first taking on Nottingham Forest away in the the first leg of our Carabao Cup semi-final, before hosting Reading at Old Trafford in the FA Cup on Saturday.
These fixtures provide an immediate opportunity for Ten Hag's side to bounce back from our narrow 3-2 defeat to Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday.
Following the loss to Mikel Arteta's side, Erik spoke to the media in his post-match press conference. The boss was was eager to look ahead to the matches that await United, and believes his side are ready for the tests both matches will present.
Ten Hag's post-match press conference
Press conference | Ten Hag fielded questions from the media following our narrow loss to Arsenal...
“It’s a big week, so I can imagine that the players are ready for it – to face this big week,” he said.
Despite the last-minute loss to Arsenal, Erik believes his side have still made much progress under his tutelage, and he is eager to see it continue.
"We already have seen how the mentality from the players has changed over the last couple of months," he said. "But we also have to notice [that] today [against Arsenal] that we still have a way to go and to be on top level.
"[I] realise we are in a good position, realise we are in a good development and good process, but in this moment, I am annoyed."
Ten Hag expressed his frustration at conceding in the closing stages against Arsenal, in a match where the Reds took the lead in the first half and battled back to 2-2 in the second half.
The Dutchman says that his side were made to rue errors, and earmarks focus as an area he wants United to improve going forward.
"I also told the players: ‘If you want to win trophies, titles – we have to change our mentality," he added. "It is not possible that you are in a top game, making three such big mistakes, where you concede goals and especially the last goal. You have to feel the game.
"You can’t give such a goal away like we did and on [the] top level then you can’t win trophies.
"[We have to be] 100 per cent focused, do the sacrificing, do the suffering, follow the rules and the principles."