Ten Hag: It is all about belief

Sunday 13 November 2022 06:59

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has insisted his players must show a strong level of belief, as we round off the Premier League action, taking on Fulham at Craven Cottage later today (16:30 GMT).

Having been beaten in our last league outing against Aston Villa, Ten Hag's players responded in the best possible way earlier this week, as we successfully saw off the Villans 4-2 at Old Trafford, thus booking our place in round four of the Carabao Cup in the process.

With full focus now swiftly turning back to our Premier League endeavours, the Reds will hope to achieve a positive result, in what is our final piece of action before the season pauses for the upcoming winter World Cup in Qatar.

Erik is confident his players can apply themselves in the correct way following our defeat in the West Midlands last Sunday, and hopes his players can put on a strong showing against a side recently promoted from the second tier.

Providing a team news update, as well as discussing his plans during the upcoming international tournament, you can read, and watch, the full interview below…

Matchday Q&A | Ten Hag on Fulham (A) Video

Matchday Q&A | Ten Hag on Fulham (A)

Erik discusses the World Cup, his plans for the break and the latest United team news...

Erik, one more game before the World Cup, how hectic has the October and November period been for your players and your staff?
''It is busy and we like it, as we like to play games. I think all the players prefer games above training so, when we have a game every three days, we are happy.''

It must be very challenging for you and your staff, particularly all the organisation and the planning. How have you found it?
''There is a lot of work, that is clear, but it is worth it. You get some kind of energy from it and it is about getting that rhythm to play the game and prepare for the game, activate the game-plan and then move forward. That is the thing: we have to handle it and I think we have done quite well.''

Thursday night's victory over Villa was our third comeback win in just over a month. Prior to that, it was December 2021 against Arsenal when we came back. How proud of you are the players to come back and get a result after being behind in the game?
''Every big team can do this. So if you want to be a big team, you have to do so and show resilience and that determination to deal with the setbacks and also believe that you can come back. It is all about belief, it's all about fighting spirit and using that togetherness to know you will have setbacks. In every game, between games and in the season, you have to deal with it, if you want to be a big team. If you want to win, then you have to deal with it.''
Next up Fulham, what is the early team news ahead of the trip?
“In one hour, we have training, so we will do normal stuff but we have to see. I think no big issues from yesterday’s game, but we have to see how players recover from illness, like Cristiano [Ronaldo], from injury like Antony. Yesterday, Anthony Martial plays his first minutes from the start after Everton, so we have to see how he recovers. So we have some issues and some questions [to see] how we line up and what plan we take.”

Fulham are perhaps the surprise package in the Premier League this season, as they have picked some good results against some tough teams. What kind of game are you expecting from them?
''I think that [those results] will give them belief. I think we also have confidence and we are good when we perform well. Against every tough opponent at home, they are energetic but as I said, when we are good, when we are focused and we stick to the plan, we have every chance of collecting the three points. That is what we need.''
You have helped many young players develop, Alejandro Garnacho is one right now that is shining and although we cannot get too ahead, what is the secret as a manager to best help him right now?
''First of all, there is a moment when you bring through players, they must follow that process in the training sessions. You work all day with them and then in matches, you evaluate it and you think about the potentially what he has and you know, when you bring him into games, he has to be ready and you know when you bring him in that his potential will accelerate. That is what we are seeing right now and Alejandro from the start of the season, he has made a lot of progress. When we have brought him in, he has done very well and, of course, there's a lot that we have to work on. What we have to work on together to help him improve. If he keeps this mindset, he has a really good chance to be a really attractive player for us. I hope that he will keep continuing on this progress and in his development.''

There is a good mood and energy in the place right now, what has it been with players now finding out whether they are going to the World Cup or not?
''Some are certain that they will be in the squad, but others have had to wait to find out. Every manager from every nation, they can only appoint 26 players and for some, it is question and that will give them both doubts and concerns. Everyone, of course, wants to be in that big event and it is great to part of it and to match yourself with the biggest players in the world against the biggest federations in the nations to compete. It gives focus and motivation for the last game and now they must go to the World Cup and perform.''

Ten Hag: Martial is my type of player

 Article

The boss is delighted to have the forward back from injury, due to the mix of qualities he possesses.

Is it a tournament you enjoy watching? I won't ask you for a winner but how much do you enjoy watching it?
''Of course, for me as a footballer, I love football. I will watch it, I will follow it, especially because a lot of our players are involved. You will have to focus on them more than other nations, you will watch it with a lot of pleasure moving forward. It is a little bit strange in the middle of the season, as you are also thinking about your own team and Manchester United and what are the consequences for them. How, after this break, how do you continue. Normally, it is in the summer and you have a long pre-season break after the break after the summer holiday. In pre-season, you then continue, but here on the 27th [December], or even before the 27th, then we will play the Carabao Cup, maybe four or five days after the final of the World Cup. It is a little bit weird.''

After the World Cup, it's straight back into both the Carabao Cup and the Premier League, how do you envisage us as a squad when the football resumes domestically?
''That there is a big question mark because no-one knows. I am happy that a lot of our players are involved because it means we have good players. Also, they will be playing games hopefully and the ones who play the games will come back fit and that they are ready to play. I think it is a disadvantage for teams who don't have many players at the World Cup because they have to play friendlies, and friendlies are different to real games. I am most concerned for the players who are in the squad but don't play, because they don't have friendlies and they only have training for substitutes and they can drop off in fitness. They can drop off in focus and maybe also they could come back in a different mental health space which is another question and concern. That is what we have to manage so I am looking forward as it is what follows, but there could be consequences with the games.''

Recommended: