Ten Hag: Reds motivated after Spurs frustration

The fact Bruno Fernandes was incorrectly sent off in the first half, with the Reds a goal down, made the task a mountainous one at the weekend but the skipper is no longer banned domestically, and will be relishing the return to his homeland in the 20:00 BST kick-off.

Using the mood around Carrington as fuel to kickstart our European campaign, on the back of the opening home draw with FC Twente, is something that Erik is demanding, as he also had to field questions about talks behind the scenes with the senior sporting staff.

"As always, when we are not winning, we are very disappointed," he said at a press conference, delayed due to fog around Porto Airport. "Of course, we are mad with ourselves, especially when you see a game like Sunday also, after all, we had to play so long with 10 players and, after, it's overturned, the red card.

"It gives frustration because it's such a long time to play with 10, it's never to your advantage. It had a real impact in the game. We have to deal with it. We are mad but now, from the madness, we have to get motivation and deal with the next game."

The boss explained how he needs the players to step up in what should be an intimidating atmosphere, against difficult opponents, and is looking for a response to the weekend setback and a chance to return to winning ways.

"Everyone has to take responsibility," he asserted. "It starts with me as manager but also, on the pitch, the players you have mentioned [Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Lisandro Martinez] maybe, but there are also others who have leadership skills. They have to stand up. Every game, for us, is important. We have to be ready as a team, and individuals, to fight with them. 

"We need some leaders on the pitch."

When asked about all the external media noise in the wake of the Spurs defeat, the manager replied: "No, it’s not important, what is external. Only important is internal and we are just dealing with the defeat. Nothing else."

In terms of any discussions this week with the football department, Erik was clear on the subject: "We talk very day. We are a common union and we made that agreement in the summer. We had a discussion, we had a review, we made our decisions, we refreshed and we reset the staff. And I appointed my assistants. I appointed the staff but it was in common processes.

"But I did this and we refreshed the squad as well. We chose especially to contract young players with technical abilities but also abilities with high potential, really for the future as well. This club wants to be back on top. As a project, as a long-term project, we set the target to be back over several years. To be champions and in the highest in the Champions League.

"We went in the same boat so we needed to be on the same page in the summer. We keep going in the process. We talk every day.  Every day, we evaluate and review the process and, where necessary, we make our decisions."