Ten Hag: It will be a real battle
Erik ten Hag says his Manchester United's clash with Leicester City will be "a real battle," with the Foxes having regained their form in recent weeks.
Brendan Rodgers's side travel to Old Trafford on Sunday (19 February) for a 14:00 GMT kick-off, having won their last two Premier League games in convincing fashion.
Ahead of the match, Ten Hag sat down for his usual matchday Q&A with club media, giving a brief squad update, discussing the Foxes's recent upturn in form and looking ahead to a huge week for the club that includes the Europa League play-off second leg against Barcelona and the Carabao Cup final.
Before the Reds take on Leicester, you can read every word from the Dutchman’s exclusive pre-match interview below…
Matchday Q&A | Erik on Leicester (H) Video
Matchday Q&A | Erik on Leicester (H)
Ten Hag discusses the Foxes' trip to Old Trafford and gives a brief squad update...
An amazing game on Thursday night, an absorbing game. How’s the recovery going? How is everyone feeling ahead of the game at the weekend against Leicester?
“I think we had a good performance yesterday [Thursday]. I think it was enjoyable to watch us play football. I did. My team played really well. We had a result, so next week we go again. We have to finish that off, at Old Trafford. That’s clear, but first there’s another game and we are now focusing on Leicester.”
Are any of the players who missed the Barcelona game through injury back in contention for the game?
“Maybe. We have to wait until tomorrow. Maybe one or two players can return, yeah.”
Lisandro Martinez and Marcel Sabitzer will be back after midweek suspensions. How much of a boost will it be to have them back ahead of such a busy week?
“You don’t want to miss them in the squad, in Barcelona. They are important players for our team. They are back in the squad, which is good. That will strengthen the squad, so we will have a good team on Sunday.”
“I think we had a good performance yesterday [Thursday]. I think it was enjoyable to watch us play football. I did. My team played really well. We had a result, so next week we go again. We have to finish that off, at Old Trafford. That’s clear, but first there’s another game and we are now focusing on Leicester.”
Are any of the players who missed the Barcelona game through injury back in contention for the game?
“Maybe. We have to wait until tomorrow. Maybe one or two players can return, yeah.”
Lisandro Martinez and Marcel Sabitzer will be back after midweek suspensions. How much of a boost will it be to have them back ahead of such a busy week?
“You don’t want to miss them in the squad, in Barcelona. They are important players for our team. They are back in the squad, which is good. That will strengthen the squad, so we will have a good team on Sunday.”
Wout Weghorst has come in and made an impact. He’s played in a different position in these last two games. Is that something you had in mind when he initially joined on loan?
“Actually, no. The last years he was actually only playing as a striker, but I know from a very long history he can play there. He did before. In a certain role, I think he can act very well there and we have seen that. In Leeds, he did it for a part of the game and yesterday he did it for over 90 minutes. I think it was quite successful, not only for him but I think he enjoyed it there. He had an impact on the game, but for the team it was really important his role. I think he let others play better and that’s also what he’s doing as a striker. He lets other team-mates score.”
There’s lots of competition, especially in defence right now. Aaron Wan-Bissaka played against Barcelona and looked dangerous going forward. He could have had a couple of assists – does it please you to see how much he’s improved with the attacking part of his game?
“Yes, of course. He is improving his game and I’m happy with his return. He had a difficult first part of the season but he fought himself back and that’s a credit to him, if you can do it. If you struggle, you fight yourself back: that’s what life is about, and especially top football. You always have to be front foot, you always have to be ready. Sometimes you have setbacks and you have to deal with it and fight back: that is what he did. As you say, he’s also now improving his game. Defending I think he was always reliable but offensively also now he has an impact.”
“Actually, no. The last years he was actually only playing as a striker, but I know from a very long history he can play there. He did before. In a certain role, I think he can act very well there and we have seen that. In Leeds, he did it for a part of the game and yesterday he did it for over 90 minutes. I think it was quite successful, not only for him but I think he enjoyed it there. He had an impact on the game, but for the team it was really important his role. I think he let others play better and that’s also what he’s doing as a striker. He lets other team-mates score.”
There’s lots of competition, especially in defence right now. Aaron Wan-Bissaka played against Barcelona and looked dangerous going forward. He could have had a couple of assists – does it please you to see how much he’s improved with the attacking part of his game?
“Yes, of course. He is improving his game and I’m happy with his return. He had a difficult first part of the season but he fought himself back and that’s a credit to him, if you can do it. If you struggle, you fight yourself back: that’s what life is about, and especially top football. You always have to be front foot, you always have to be ready. Sometimes you have setbacks and you have to deal with it and fight back: that is what he did. As you say, he’s also now improving his game. Defending I think he was always reliable but offensively also now he has an impact.”
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Leicester have regained form in recent weeks, they’re getting better and better. They’ve scored four in each of their last two league games, so what are you expecting from Leicester and their manager Brendan Rodgers?
“It was already September when we faced them, but it was a good team. They were, at that time, in a bad period but you could already see there were good touches, it’s a decent team. They played well, they pressed high, so they are brave. I liked them, the way they played, so it will be a real battle, once again. We have to be ready for the battle. We have to be good to win that fight.”
You said in the press conference how determined you are, that the focus and energy will need to be spot on for Sunday. Is that the main crux of your message to the players, with a huge week beyond the next game?
“Yeah, it’s every time the same: focus on the next game and not looking too far ahead at what’s coming up. The next game is the most important and again: it’s a big game, Leicester, because they are a good opponent who have good players. It’s a good team. It’s working as a team. You have to be good and we have to focus on that.”
“It was already September when we faced them, but it was a good team. They were, at that time, in a bad period but you could already see there were good touches, it’s a decent team. They played well, they pressed high, so they are brave. I liked them, the way they played, so it will be a real battle, once again. We have to be ready for the battle. We have to be good to win that fight.”
You said in the press conference how determined you are, that the focus and energy will need to be spot on for Sunday. Is that the main crux of your message to the players, with a huge week beyond the next game?
“Yeah, it’s every time the same: focus on the next game and not looking too far ahead at what’s coming up. The next game is the most important and again: it’s a big game, Leicester, because they are a good opponent who have good players. It’s a good team. It’s working as a team. You have to be good and we have to focus on that.”
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Finally, what a week, not just for the fans but it must be for you and the players as well. There’s a big league game, Barcelona in the Europa League, then the cup final. Do you relish weeks like this? Is this what it’s all about being in football?
“Yes. Everyone wants to have this experience, to play many games. Players prefer to play games to training, so they like it every time again. But, of course, there are demands and demands to get ready for every game and it costs a lot of energy, but it’s what we are paid for. This is our job, we will do that and, first of all, when we start to play football, you want to play big games and we are in the position to play big games. That must give energy.”
“Yes. Everyone wants to have this experience, to play many games. Players prefer to play games to training, so they like it every time again. But, of course, there are demands and demands to get ready for every game and it costs a lot of energy, but it’s what we are paid for. This is our job, we will do that and, first of all, when we start to play football, you want to play big games and we are in the position to play big games. That must give energy.”
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