Ten Hag: Everyone wants to beat United
Erik ten Hag says that the fact Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to react to their defeat at Newcastle United doesn't change anything for Manchester United, as our reputation means opposition sides are always highly motivated for their matches against the Reds.
United travel to the capital to take on Spurs in a 20:15 BST kick-off tonight (Thursday), with the hosts looking to bounce back after losing 6-1 at St. James' Park on Sunday.
Despite Tottenham's players vowing to respond positively to that defeat, and the dismissal of interim boss Cristian Stellini this week, Ten Hag believes the London club would have been striving to claim a scalp on Thursday regardless.
In his customary matchday Q&A with club media, the Dutchman maintained the need for the Reds to raise our levels at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as every club who faces United has extra motivation to succeed due to who we are...
Matchday Q&A: Ten Hag on Spurs (A)
Erik ten Hag praises the fitness and mentality of his players before our Premier League clash away to Tottenham...
"I think taking responsibility is one of the things you can expect and demand from a player at Manchester United. If you are in this place, you have to do it and, of course, you have specialists and you have others that are less [comfortable], so we judge that during the season, we train that during the season and all the penalty takers, they were really great. They were so convinced and [they were] really great shots."
And we were really impressed with the fitness levels too. How much gratitude do the fitness staff deserve for getting the players in such a brilliant position?
"A big compliment, yeah, but there are some good strategy behind [it] and we also have to credit the players. Because it's only about them, it's about sleep, it's about food, it's about recovery and that is the key to getting those fitness levels. And then you can do it and you can do it every day. Definitely, it's character and, at the base, it's fitness levels."
It’s been a gruelling schedule and it was 120 gruelling minutes at the weekend so how is the team shaping up? Bruno [Fernandes] had protection on his foot. Alejandro Garnacho, how is he doing? Scott [McTominay] and Tom [Heaton] are on the fringes?
"Bruno, we have to wait. He is obviously a question mark. He had a big kick in the first half but he played the game, over 90 minutes, and even in extra-time. But then he went off. We've all seen. He's not excluded for tomorrow but he is a question mark. Garnacho is back on the pitch but he's not ready for the game tomorrow. Scott, we have to wait a little bit longer, I fear. But I am sure they are all motivated to be back as soon as possible as we play a lot of ‘finals’, huge games and, in the end, we know what is going on then."
One of your consistent messages has always been that people come in and play a part when called upon. A great example being Victor [Lindelof], who was superb at the weekend. Do you expect more of that from him and other players to do that as we approach the end of the season?
"Yes, of course. It is not always easy when you are in a club that's Manchester United and you need a big squad. There are also players who are capable of playing every game, like Victor. But he is not playing every game because you are not picked and then you have to wait for your moment and, when the moment is there, you have to prove it. And now [there are] a number of games after each other that he is really contributing and really consistent in his performance, and the team needs it. So it's a demand for a player from Manchester United as well. Maybe it's not easy, sometimes if you are disappointed, or frustrated during the season, to keep in a good level and Victor did really well. As others did really well. There are examples of it. You see, when you are needed, you give the performance and help the team to get the goals from the season."
Press conference: Spurs v United
Watch Erik ten Hag's press conference to preview our important Premier League match in north London...
Spurs are off the back of a big defeat at Newcastle. How alert will we have to be to overcome their reaction?
"It is not about Spurs, it is about Manchester United. It can never be that a team we are facing is more hungry as we [are]. So make sure, that is my demand on the players, be ready for that game. It's the same. Show why you are wearing the shirt of Manchester United. Then you have to be front foot and our players know that. Every game is the same, everyone wants to beat Manchester United, so then you have to be really alert and really focused and ready for that game because Spurs will play at the highest levels, so we have to play our best football if we want to beat them."
Even in that defeat, Harry Kane showed how dangerous he is. Could it help that the likes of Luke [Shaw] and Harry [Maguire] and Marcus [Rashford] all know him from the England squad?
"We know, in England, everyone, we do our work. The players do, every time they work, of course we are facing, tomorrow, a great player, but we are facing great players but it is about the team. So make sure we give the right team performance."
Press conference part two: Spurs v United
Erik ten Hag discusses Harry Kane, Jadon Sancho and our top-four hopes in part two of his media briefing...
You rated that home win over Spurs as one of the best of the season. Why did you think it was right up there with our best performances because we've had many brilliant ones?
"I think we had some more brilliant ones. So we had some highlights but it's all the past and we have to think about the future and perform in the future."
Finally, much has been made of the need to win away at top sides, and you've mentioned that yourself. Does this provide a big opportunity to get a win away at one of the top teams?
"Every opportunity is one and we have a team who can do it. But now we have to show [it], and that's the next step we have to make."