Ten Hag on Rashford and Liverpool
Erik ten Hag wants his Manchester United players to use the anger they felt after Thursday's defeat at Chelsea as energy for Sunday's crunch meeting with Liverpool.
Two goals scored by Cole Palmer in the space of 82 stoppage-time seconds turned a potentially galvanising 3-2 victory at Stamford Bridge into a chastening and scarcely believable loss, as the Blues ran out 4-3 winners at the end of a thrilling contest.
Jurgen Klopp's table-toppers are next up for United, with the Merseysiders returning to Old Trafford just three weeks on from our memorable Emirates FA Cup quarter-final win.
Conducting his pre-match media duties for Sunday's game shortly after the final whistle in London, Ten Hag suggested United could repeat our triumph if we matched those high standards and managed the game a little better.
He also touched upon the form of Marcus Rashford and asked supporters to get behind the team and players in a positive manner, as a question about tragedy chanting was asked...
Press conference v Liverpool
Press conference | Erik ten Hag on Rashford, the Champions League and tragedy chanting before Liverpool (H)...
MARCUS IS MOTIVATED
“I think lately his form is progressing and so the time will always be right. I think he has a big motivation because he wants to be successful with us. He wants to score goals but he wants to win trophies and contribute and we still have a chance in the FA Cup. He wants to fight for a Champions League spot and the Euros are coming so I will say his motivation should be high. And the form, that is a moment and he can change the momentum always. Before Brentford, he scored three goals in three games.”
TOP FOUR WILL BE TOUGH
“In this week we drop in stoppage time five points and it is very expensive. The points are getting very expensive because the games are running out and we know that. We have to catch up and we are now many points behind. It will be difficult but we will keep fighting and I am sure that you see our team, they have character. Today we have seen an example as well. They are resilient and I am sure they will be there on Sunday in the fight against Liverpool.”
MANAGING GAMES BETTER
“For me personally? I have to manage the game and I have to manage the team. You have seen we have qualities. We have some great players. We can be in momentum and we can play at very high standards. We have seen today an example and we have seen against Liverpool. We can compete with the best and we can beat the best teams in the Premier League. And when you beat them in the Premier League, you can beat them across Europe. But we need to learn how to win games - how you bring big games over the line and get the three points. Saturday was an example, today was an example. We have to step up and we have to make better decisions individually and as a team.”
ON TRAGEDY CHANTING
“It’s very important to be behind Manchester United. Support us in a positive way. Cheer us on. I think there is a fantastic bond between the team and the fans. They are always behind us. We have seen three weeks ago in that game against Liverpool how much of an effect and an impact we can have in togetherness, in a positive way on the pitch. We are going for it again on Sunday: a positive mood in Old Trafford.”
USING CHELSEA DEFEAT AS FUEL
“We will see on Sunday [how to beat Liverpool]. But I have to say first I have to deal with this, but we can’t deal with this long. We have to recover very quick. We have to turn this around. So from tomorrow [Friday] on we will be in a positive mood. We will be looking forward. We have to take energy but we will be mad, angry. From anger you can take a lot of energy and that is how we have to do it.”