Ten Hag on top-four chase and development

The Reds have just nine games remaining in the Premier League - as well as our endeavours in the Emirates FA Cup - with the onus firmly on ensuring a positive end to the season.

Ten Hag's men are on the road in the capital once more this week, as we travel to Stamford Bridge to face Mauricio Pochettino's Chelsea.

Erik spoke to sections of the media at Carrington earlier today and, below, you can read the standout quotes from the second part of his press conference...

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

"We don't train too hard. We need to be fit and this league, with the standard you need, you need to be fit, otherwise you cannot reach the standards that you need to compete. We do not train too hard."

BATTLING ON

"You need very robust players, that is the requirement. Around Christmas, we were in a situation with a load of injuries and then you have to bring them back. In the moment, they are then free from injury but they are not going to be match fit, they are then not straight back into their form, which needs a couple of games before you get back to the rhythm."

ADJUSTING IS KEY

"As I explained several times, we don't have a consistent team and every time we have to adjust, then that means there are no routines where there should be. That is because you have to adapt your team when people are dropping out. Now, once again, we have to adjust our team."

BEGINNING TO SEE RESULTS

"You need to follow the process. As I say, we are in a good trend line with the young players coming through and developing, they are playing well. The programme is showing we are in a good way and direction, and now we have to make the next steps and don't interrupt it."

WORK TO BE DONE

"I don't know and I don't care [about the pressure to reach the Champions League], but also I have high standards. I would be disappointed if we didn't qualify but I do know that we are not in a good position. We want to win every game and that is the standard we have here amongst each other. We will keeping going and keep believing, holding that standard. That will be the approach for the games and fighting in the games.

"I know we are not in a good position and we have had to catch up and also I know we have had a lot of problems. I am also a realistic man. In a competition where the teams are so competitive and it is so close with each other in terms of levels, then also you need the players to be available, to make a consistent team, to bring the routines in with the way of play and that depends on the results.

"That is a fact, if you can't do it and you make compromises, you will drop in levels and when you can play a consistent team, your levels will go up. When you can bring the best players in your squad you will collect more points, that is a fact. I will be realistic, nevertheless, I will keep fighting till the end for every game and I will demand a win because we are Man United and we have to win every game."