Erik: I hope the fans bring a good vibe
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag hopes our unwavering support can bring "a good mood and a good vibe" to Old Trafford later today, as we take on Wolves in the Premier League (15:00 BST kick-off).
The Reds are back in action after a midweek without a fixture - our first since the World Cup break.
With the race still firmly on for a top-four finish, Erik is hoping our clash with the Midlanders can be the catalyst for a strong end to the season, as the first of our final four Premier League games in 2022/23.
Ahead of it, Ten Hag spoke to club media's Mark Sullivan, and you can see that conversation, in full, below...
Matchday Q&A | Ten Hag on Wolves (H) Video
Matchday Q&A | Ten Hag on Wolves (H)
Erik discusses McTominay's injury, our midweek hiatus and the race for the top four, ahead of Wolves' visit...
Erik, how's the squad looking for the Wolves game and are we seeing the likes of Raphael Varane and Scott McTominay any closer to a return?
“Yes, from that perspective, it's good news that Scott is on the way back and he’s made really good steps. He's close, but not close enough to make the selection for tomorrow. But Rapha Varane is back, so we're really happy with that. You know his experience. He knows how to win. He knows he can guide the team. So I’m happy with that. But also we have the bad news that is Rashford is very doubtful and I don't think he will be available.”
I hope he's back very soon. Aside from the international breaks, this has been our first week where you've had to prepare for a game - the first free midweek since September. So how have you and the team used that to reset and recharge the batteries?
“First we gave them some days off to do some self-reflection and rest and, as you say, recharge. And we have seen that, back on the training pitch, they were very good sessions, very lively, fully committed. And I think we had good training days over three days. And we are ready.”
“Yes, from that perspective, it's good news that Scott is on the way back and he’s made really good steps. He's close, but not close enough to make the selection for tomorrow. But Rapha Varane is back, so we're really happy with that. You know his experience. He knows how to win. He knows he can guide the team. So I’m happy with that. But also we have the bad news that is Rashford is very doubtful and I don't think he will be available.”
I hope he's back very soon. Aside from the international breaks, this has been our first week where you've had to prepare for a game - the first free midweek since September. So how have you and the team used that to reset and recharge the batteries?
“First we gave them some days off to do some self-reflection and rest and, as you say, recharge. And we have seen that, back on the training pitch, they were very good sessions, very lively, fully committed. And I think we had good training days over three days. And we are ready.”
We're back at Old Trafford on Saturday after a run of six out of seven games on the road. So how much does the home form this season give you confidence that you can get those three wins required to be in the top four?
“We feel fairly strong, but every time you have to do it. We know we have to act, but we are looking forward [to it]. It's always a pleasure to enter Old Trafford, the great ambience, the great bond we have with the fans, and we are looking forward [to it]. [It’s] a strong opponent, but if we do our job, we have a good chance to win this game.”
And it's a rare 3pm kick-off on a Saturday for us this season. We don't get many. The fans love this kick-off time, so what would you say to those fans who are coming in to support us to try and help us get over the line?
“Oh, I hope they bring a good mood and a good vibe. And we will do everything in our power to bring the result and to keep the three points at Old Trafford.”
“We feel fairly strong, but every time you have to do it. We know we have to act, but we are looking forward [to it]. It's always a pleasure to enter Old Trafford, the great ambience, the great bond we have with the fans, and we are looking forward [to it]. [It’s] a strong opponent, but if we do our job, we have a good chance to win this game.”
And it's a rare 3pm kick-off on a Saturday for us this season. We don't get many. The fans love this kick-off time, so what would you say to those fans who are coming in to support us to try and help us get over the line?
“Oh, I hope they bring a good mood and a good vibe. And we will do everything in our power to bring the result and to keep the three points at Old Trafford.”
Are there any particular games that spring to mind when you think of how the fans helped us in any way claim all three points or claim a big victory?
“Yeah, I think it's more about coming into a game and it starts with quality in the way of play of the team and then it can go to the stands and the stands [give it] back. And so we have to create the togetherness.”
Several young players ended their loan spells with Football League clubs this week: Hannibal at Birmingham, Alvaro Fernandez at Preston. They both won awards. So too Amad, who is still involved with Sunderland in their promotion play-offs, how pleased are you and the club with the way they have performed and could their experiences help them when they come back to us?
“Definitely, it will help them. Not everyone can be in the first team, but the aim is always to have a loan and to get experience, but to progress and to develop and so get ready for the first-team squad for Man United. So we are happy with their performances and hopefully they can compete for a position in the first team.”
“Yeah, I think it's more about coming into a game and it starts with quality in the way of play of the team and then it can go to the stands and the stands [give it] back. And so we have to create the togetherness.”
Several young players ended their loan spells with Football League clubs this week: Hannibal at Birmingham, Alvaro Fernandez at Preston. They both won awards. So too Amad, who is still involved with Sunderland in their promotion play-offs, how pleased are you and the club with the way they have performed and could their experiences help them when they come back to us?
“Definitely, it will help them. Not everyone can be in the first team, but the aim is always to have a loan and to get experience, but to progress and to develop and so get ready for the first-team squad for Man United. So we are happy with their performances and hopefully they can compete for a position in the first team.”
Match preview: United v Wolves
ArticleThe Reds are back on home soil for a must-win game as the race for top four builds towards its climax.
Just finally, the fourth and final US summer fixture has been announced, with Real Madrid added to the list of opponents with Dortmund, Arsenal and Wrexham. How much have you been involved with the planning of the tour and do you feel it's a good mix of games?
“From the start we were involved and the staff – so the coaches and me [worked] with the whole staff of Man United to get a good tour, where the priority is sporting. We need a good preparation, we need a good pre-season. Everything has to get done in that period. This is the only period in the year that you can train. So we have to use that time and we can't waste that time. So I think we prepared it well and in detail. We will work on the coming weeks, but after the season. The first priority is this season and don't think about what's coming next season.”
“From the start we were involved and the staff – so the coaches and me [worked] with the whole staff of Man United to get a good tour, where the priority is sporting. We need a good preparation, we need a good pre-season. Everything has to get done in that period. This is the only period in the year that you can train. So we have to use that time and we can't waste that time. So I think we prepared it well and in detail. We will work on the coming weeks, but after the season. The first priority is this season and don't think about what's coming next season.”
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