Erik: I demand quality on the ball
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has asked for more quality on the ball at the London Stadium, as we look to record a vital away win against West Ham United later today.
The Reds drew 0-0 with high-flyers Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, in a resolute display that ended with Ten Hag's side seeing out the game with 10 men on the field, as Diogo Dalot was dismissed late on.
Set to face off against our former boss David Moyes in the capital, United can climb closer to the top-four spots and would be boosted with a win at the start of the busy upcoming period.
Ahead of our clash at 12:30 GMT, below you can read, and watch, everything the boss had to say when speaking to MUTV's Mark Sullivan in his exclusive pre-match interview...
Set to face off against our former boss David Moyes in the capital, United can climb closer to the top-four spots and would be boosted with a win at the start of the busy upcoming period.
Ahead of our clash at 12:30 GMT, below you can read, and watch, everything the boss had to say when speaking to MUTV's Mark Sullivan in his exclusive pre-match interview...
Matchday Q&A: Ten Hag on West Ham (A) Video
Matchday Q&A: Ten Hag on West Ham (A)
Matchday Q&A | Erik hopes the Reds can deliver a "very good performance" at the London Stadium, against West Ham...
Erik, another tricky away game ahead, how much will having a full week to prepare help?
''Actually it gives us some time to give the players some free time. After that, we have a busy schedule and we can get away from football to refresh, to reload, reload the batteries. Yesterday (Thursday) we came in, today (Friday) we have training, so I am sure they will be on top form to deliver a very good performance.''
How's the squad looking for the trip, any changes?
''We have some returns that are very useful. The one we are pleased to have is the return of Christian Eriksen in the squad. We also have doubts, we had some illness in the week, so we will have to see how they recover tomorrow (Saturday). But one thing is sure, we will put a good line up on the pitch and we have to win the game.''
And what is the latest with Victor [Lindelof]?
''Victor has done the surgery that is necessary, so he needs some weeks to recover from it.''
''Actually it gives us some time to give the players some free time. After that, we have a busy schedule and we can get away from football to refresh, to reload, reload the batteries. Yesterday (Thursday) we came in, today (Friday) we have training, so I am sure they will be on top form to deliver a very good performance.''
How's the squad looking for the trip, any changes?
''We have some returns that are very useful. The one we are pleased to have is the return of Christian Eriksen in the squad. We also have doubts, we had some illness in the week, so we will have to see how they recover tomorrow (Saturday). But one thing is sure, we will put a good line up on the pitch and we have to win the game.''
And what is the latest with Victor [Lindelof]?
''Victor has done the surgery that is necessary, so he needs some weeks to recover from it.''
That clean sheet at Anfield showed how hard the team worked defensively. How difficult is it to keep those levels of concentration throughout a match like that?
''First of all [it was a great] defensive plan, but we have to keep disciplined and it was a huge team performance on the defending part. It gave us control in the game. If you can do it against Liverpool, I would say you can do it against any opponent. What we have to add is some more quality with possession on the ball. In moments we brought them problems and if we hit them, if we made better setups or if we were more comfortable on the ball, we can make more triangles and create more third-man situations and get the switches in, then we could have had more from the game. We also need to be better in possession so we have that control to help hurt an opponent.''
West Ham will offer a very different test what do you expect from them?
''I think you used the right word in saying it will be very different. They are on top in some rankings and they are only one point behind us in the rankings. They have a very good team and a very good balance. They have a lot of weapons but it is very different to Liverpool. But as usual, it is not about them, it is about us and what we bring there on the pitch, the defending approach must be the same, the discipline to the principals, the rules we have. I expect and what I demand from my team is quality on the ball.''
You know a couple of players from your time at Ajax. Edson Alvarez, Mohamed Kudus, Kudus especially has looked a real threat in the Premier League. How do you assess those two?
''I am really happy for them. I trusted them and we had a really great squad at Ajax. They both contributed a lot to the success we had at Ajax. I am looking forward to seeing them but of course I don't want to see them tomorrow on the pitch in a [happy] way, they have to do that in a different game."
''First of all [it was a great] defensive plan, but we have to keep disciplined and it was a huge team performance on the defending part. It gave us control in the game. If you can do it against Liverpool, I would say you can do it against any opponent. What we have to add is some more quality with possession on the ball. In moments we brought them problems and if we hit them, if we made better setups or if we were more comfortable on the ball, we can make more triangles and create more third-man situations and get the switches in, then we could have had more from the game. We also need to be better in possession so we have that control to help hurt an opponent.''
West Ham will offer a very different test what do you expect from them?
''I think you used the right word in saying it will be very different. They are on top in some rankings and they are only one point behind us in the rankings. They have a very good team and a very good balance. They have a lot of weapons but it is very different to Liverpool. But as usual, it is not about them, it is about us and what we bring there on the pitch, the defending approach must be the same, the discipline to the principals, the rules we have. I expect and what I demand from my team is quality on the ball.''
You know a couple of players from your time at Ajax. Edson Alvarez, Mohamed Kudus, Kudus especially has looked a real threat in the Premier League. How do you assess those two?
''I am really happy for them. I trusted them and we had a really great squad at Ajax. They both contributed a lot to the success we had at Ajax. I am looking forward to seeing them but of course I don't want to see them tomorrow on the pitch in a [happy] way, they have to do that in a different game."
Rasmus Hojlund received the Danish Talent of the Year award this week, how hopeful, how convinced are you that 2024 will be a big year from him as well?
''I think any game is big for every player. But when you are at that young you have to get that experience. It was a great [year] so far for Rasmus Hojlund, for his transfer, for his goals for Denmark, his goals in the Champions League. But now you see he has new challenges and he is so eager. He is a fantastic professional and he has set his targets very high. He has to work in every game to aim for his targets to get those results."
And finally, can you share a Christmas message to all of the United fans around the world?
''Merry Christmas for all. I hope it was a wonderful year for everyone, but make sure around Christmas you are around your loved ones and you share the similar feelings with each other. Then going into a new year, hopefully for everyone, I wish everyone all the best. A lot of luck, a lot of satisfaction especially, but keep healthy and most importantly look after each other.''
''I think any game is big for every player. But when you are at that young you have to get that experience. It was a great [year] so far for Rasmus Hojlund, for his transfer, for his goals for Denmark, his goals in the Champions League. But now you see he has new challenges and he is so eager. He is a fantastic professional and he has set his targets very high. He has to work in every game to aim for his targets to get those results."
And finally, can you share a Christmas message to all of the United fans around the world?
''Merry Christmas for all. I hope it was a wonderful year for everyone, but make sure around Christmas you are around your loved ones and you share the similar feelings with each other. Then going into a new year, hopefully for everyone, I wish everyone all the best. A lot of luck, a lot of satisfaction especially, but keep healthy and most importantly look after each other.''
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