Ten Hag: Where we play isn’t an issue
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag insists that his side are just as capable of picking up big results on the road as they are at Old Trafford.
Of the other five sides to finish above United in last season’s Premier League table, Ten Hag’s side have only played Manchester City away and were unfortunately on the wrong end of a 6-3 scoreline earlier this month.
Chelsea are therefore the only club among that top-five quintet from last term that we are yet to face in 2022/23, but that will change on Stamford Bridge this Saturday. And Erik is confident that his side are capable of replicating a similar quality of performance to the ones that have garnered big results on home soil recently.
Part one: Ten Hag's Chelsea press conference
Press conference, part one | The manager's media briefing was dominated by questions on Cristiano Ronaldo...
“It's 11 against 11, there's a ref, so it's all the same. And also, away, we always have a lot of support from our fans, so we are really happy with that.
“So, we feel strong, and we are looking forward to that game tomorrow.”
The fans have certainly had a part to play in the Reds’ successes at the Theatre of Dreams and the manager appreciates that backing for his players, but he also relishes the challenges away from our stadium.
"It's fabulous to play on Old Trafford, with our fans in our back. So, a great experience, every time again. And I think opponents don't like to play at Old Trafford.
“But at the same time, I like to play away games because the stadiums in the Premier League are fantastic.
“So I am really looking forward to Stamford Bridge. Already I have that experience to play there, so I know how the atmosphere is there – it's fantastic."
The trip to the capital will also see the Dutchman go up against Graham Potter in the opposite technical dugout once more.
Potter has of course taken up the role of head coach at Chelsea since managing former club Brighton to victory on the opening day of the season at Old Trafford, in Erik’s first competitive game in charge of the Reds.
"It's a different game, different team,” Ten Hag answered, when asked what it’s like to face a counterpart that he has only recently come up against.
“[There are] some different players, we are further in the process. Of course, I know more about him and the first time he knew maybe more about me. And that is maybe an advantage because he knows more about Manchester United in the first game. So now I'm longer in the UK, in the Premier League, so tomorrow [we can expect a] good fight.
“But it is not a fight between managers, it is a fight between teams: Chelsea [and] Manchester United."