Ten Hag: I'm really looking forward to it
Erik ten Hag says Manchester United have to “keep the momentum” with a Carabao Cup final win against Newcastle this weekend.
United take on Eddie Howe’s in the 16:30 GMT kick-off at Wembley on Sunday, and both side will be vying to lift the trophy come the final whistle.
Ahead of the game, Ten Hag sat down for his usual matchday Q&A with club media, where he discussed the condition of his squad, Tuesday's triumph over Barcelona at old Trafford, and the first-ever Wembley match of his career.
In anticipation of the fixture, you can read every word from the Dutchman’s pre-match interview below…
Ahead of the game, Ten Hag sat down for his usual matchday Q&A with club media, where he discussed the condition of his squad, Tuesday's triumph over Barcelona at old Trafford, and the first-ever Wembley match of his career.
In anticipation of the fixture, you can read every word from the Dutchman’s pre-match interview below…
Matchday Q&A | Erik on the Carabao Cup final Video
Matchday Q&A | Erik on the Carabao Cup final
Erik discusses our Carabao Cup final against Newcastle and the prospect of his first match at Wembley...
Erik, that was a really special night against Barcelona. Where does that rank in special European nights that you have experienced?
"It's a difficult question. I have so many highlights, but definitely [the Barcelona match was] a highlight. We won the game but in the end it is about winning trophies, so it is on the road - hopefully - to silverware. But when you beat Barcelona, it is one of the best teams in Europe, eight points ahead of Real Madrid and we have seen already Madrid play against Liverpool this week, so then you know if you beat [Barcelona], you have done a really good job."
It was a brilliant result and your reward for that is another Spanish team in Real Betis. What are your initial thoughts on playing Betis?
"I just heard and we played them in the pre-season after the winter break, and you know what you get from Spanish football. We faced it yesterday. It is a playing team, a skilful team, so we will have to play our best. We also played Real Sociedad this season and so we know, only when you play your best, you have a chance to survive and to get into the next round. So, we will go deeper when we face them. First we have to put the energy and the focus into the next games, and games [after that], because first we have the Carabao Cup, the FA Cup and then the Premier League."
"It's a difficult question. I have so many highlights, but definitely [the Barcelona match was] a highlight. We won the game but in the end it is about winning trophies, so it is on the road - hopefully - to silverware. But when you beat Barcelona, it is one of the best teams in Europe, eight points ahead of Real Madrid and we have seen already Madrid play against Liverpool this week, so then you know if you beat [Barcelona], you have done a really good job."
It was a brilliant result and your reward for that is another Spanish team in Real Betis. What are your initial thoughts on playing Betis?
"I just heard and we played them in the pre-season after the winter break, and you know what you get from Spanish football. We faced it yesterday. It is a playing team, a skilful team, so we will have to play our best. We also played Real Sociedad this season and so we know, only when you play your best, you have a chance to survive and to get into the next round. So, we will go deeper when we face them. First we have to put the energy and the focus into the next games, and games [after that], because first we have the Carabao Cup, the FA Cup and then the Premier League."
Antony's goal was the 19th goal scored by a substitute for us this season. That's more than any other team across the five major European leagues. What does that say about the squad and how ready your players are to make an impact when chosen?
"I'm really happy with that, because it shows that we are not only 11 players, it shows we have a dressing room, and we have weapons in our dressing room who can change games. You need players who are ready to do that, and [who are] in the mental state to come on the pitch and have an impact. That's not easy, so I'm really happy that our players can do that. It makes our dressing room, in those moments, successful. But success is only there when you get silverware in. On Sunday, we have the opportunity."
How important is that we go into that game with the momentum we have right now?
"Keep the momentum. Keep going. We know it's a way of life, we have to prepare for it. Get the right food it, get enough sleep, get energy and go to the next game."
"I'm really happy with that, because it shows that we are not only 11 players, it shows we have a dressing room, and we have weapons in our dressing room who can change games. You need players who are ready to do that, and [who are] in the mental state to come on the pitch and have an impact. That's not easy, so I'm really happy that our players can do that. It makes our dressing room, in those moments, successful. But success is only there when you get silverware in. On Sunday, we have the opportunity."
How important is that we go into that game with the momentum we have right now?
"Keep the momentum. Keep going. We know it's a way of life, we have to prepare for it. Get the right food it, get enough sleep, get energy and go to the next game."
Ten Hag's update on Rashford and Martial
ArticleErik has been asked about Marcus, after the striker was substituted during the second half of the Barcelona game.
How is the squad looking for the game on Sunday?
"It is difficult to say, we're just coming back from the game from Thursday night. The players now are just arriving and we have to examine them, then we have to see how everyone is, how their mental and physical status is and then we will draw a plan for Sunday."
You've managed in many cup finals, that experience will help us greatly. But how excited are you to experience your first Wembley cup final?
"Very. I've seen so many games [there] on television but I have never been, I've never had the pleasure to have been, so Sunday is the first time and I'm really looking forward to it."
"It is difficult to say, we're just coming back from the game from Thursday night. The players now are just arriving and we have to examine them, then we have to see how everyone is, how their mental and physical status is and then we will draw a plan for Sunday."
You've managed in many cup finals, that experience will help us greatly. But how excited are you to experience your first Wembley cup final?
"Very. I've seen so many games [there] on television but I have never been, I've never had the pleasure to have been, so Sunday is the first time and I'm really looking forward to it."
Back to Top