Ten Hag: We have to be ready for Palace

The Reds successfully reached the final of the Carabao Cup earlier this week, after seeing off Nottingham Forest 2-0 (5-0 on aggregate) and thus securing our first trip to Wembley Stadium since 2018.

With our attention now quickly turning back to our league endeavours, Ten Hag was keen to reiterate the need for his team to perform to a much higher standard, following our 1-1 draw with Palace 17 days ago.

Bruno Fernandes had fired United ahead at Selhurst Park, before Michael Olise's last-minute free-kick - the Premier League's Goal of the Month for January - ensured the points were shared in the capital.

Below you can read the manager's reflections on that game, and more, in our Q&A for today’s clash with Palace at the Theatre of Dreams...

Erik can we begin with some team news. Are there any updates on your squad please?
''Marcel Sabitzer. We signed him, I think he is ready to play, so tomorrow he is in the squad.''

We have seen Diogo [Dalot] back in training?
''I think he is doing quite well. Last couple of days, he has been back in the team training and [if] his training today goes well, he can also return to the squad for tomorrow.''

Just on Sabizter, I had the pleasure of chatting to him when he signed and he seems very focused, very determined. What qualities does he add?
''I think you have already described him. He is a determined football player with a really good attitude and [at] many clubs he was also captain, so he is also a leader. He is a really good player who brings a winning attitude and I think for that it is a perfect signing. We are really happy with him.''

We were all sad to learn about Christian Eriksen's injury, but given his fantastic character and personality, can he still contribute around the place whilst he recovers?
''Definitely, he has so much experience as well. He is now focusing on recovery and we want him to be [back] as soon as possible. I think it is still possible he has a role to play this season. So hopefully he will recover for that.''

Crystal Palace are up next. How much of a big challenge will they provide?
''It's a difficult team. They have a physical approach and a good manager with really good ideas about winning football games, so we have to be ready and play better than we did at Palace. We need to be better in defence and be better in the way we play and have more energy and focus on the pitch than we had before.''

After cup success, you can now focus on the upcoming league games, with three in a row before another cup game in Europe...
''We don't think about that, we will just go game to game. It's about improving from game to game and now we want to refresh and have a new focus.''

Just finally on Raphael Varane, what a player he was for France. What can you say about his achievements with his country?
''He is magnificent. I don't think you can find a player in the world who achieved the same as Rapha Varane did for his nation. He was great, but also at Real Madrid too in club football. [For his nation] he was also successful and as a club footballer he is successful. Now he prefers only to do it as a club footballer and we, here at Manchester United, hope to get the benefits from it.''