Ten Hag on Murtough and Bournemouth
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag delivered a .thank-you message the way of John Murtough after the football director's departure was announced by the club earlier this week.
The 53-year-old spent 11 years at Carrington and Tuesday's statement confirmed his decision to step down.
United boss Ten Hag spoke about Murtough's contribution to the club during his pre-match press conference to preview Saturday's game with Bournemouth, wishing him well in his future endeavours.
As well as speaking about the threat Andoni Iraola's side pose, the Dutchman was pressed on a range of different topics by sections of the media.
Scroll down to both read, and watch, the standout quotes from Erik's press conference earlier this afternoon...
United boss Ten Hag spoke about Murtough's contribution to the club during his pre-match press conference to preview Saturday's game with Bournemouth, wishing him well in his future endeavours.
As well as speaking about the threat Andoni Iraola's side pose, the Dutchman was pressed on a range of different topics by sections of the media.
Scroll down to both read, and watch, the standout quotes from Erik's press conference earlier this afternoon...
Part one: Press conference v Bournemouth Video
Part one: Press conference v Bournemouth
Press conference part one | Erik ten Hag shares an injury update ahead of Saturday's trip to the Vitality Stadium...
PRAISE FOR MAGUIRE
"You have to see that [summer situation with Harry] in perspective. We were always happy with Harry Maguire but he wants to play. He is a great leader, a very good defender, so he is very comfortable on the ball. When I count all those abilities, just now in our defensive line when he have all those problems, then he is even more important to lead that line, play from the back. So we are very pleased he is there and we need to him to get our results and achieve our targets."
BEST WISHES FOR MURTOUGH
"I think you mentioned something big there [about the structure], in the new season, it is very important that the new ownership is working on this. They have to replace his function, to go into the new season. For the moment, I now miss his support and the surrounding board, you miss that. But he moved on and has made his choice. We worked very well together and I must say thank you to John and I wish him all the best for the future."
"You have to see that [summer situation with Harry] in perspective. We were always happy with Harry Maguire but he wants to play. He is a great leader, a very good defender, so he is very comfortable on the ball. When I count all those abilities, just now in our defensive line when he have all those problems, then he is even more important to lead that line, play from the back. So we are very pleased he is there and we need to him to get our results and achieve our targets."
BEST WISHES FOR MURTOUGH
"I think you mentioned something big there [about the structure], in the new season, it is very important that the new ownership is working on this. They have to replace his function, to go into the new season. For the moment, I now miss his support and the surrounding board, you miss that. But he moved on and has made his choice. We worked very well together and I must say thank you to John and I wish him all the best for the future."
CENTRE-BACK ISSUES
"It is very difficult, everyone who has a little bit of knowledge about football, they know it will affect your results and your performances. The back four has always been a foundation to get our results and we did not have that. We know we have to win but then also know we have to take the responsibility. When you oversee it, you also know how much of a negative impact it can have."
PREVIOUS MEETING IN M16
"In a sense it was all about the performance before that against Chelsea in the week. We were mentally not ready for that [Bournemouth] game. They battled us and we lost the battles. Tomorrow will not be different as that is the way they play. They want to fight with you and it is about making sure you go into that fight with the convincing belief that you need to support each other. [We need to] win the battles and try to outplay them, to outrun them and, in defending, we must also match the runs."
"It is very difficult, everyone who has a little bit of knowledge about football, they know it will affect your results and your performances. The back four has always been a foundation to get our results and we did not have that. We know we have to win but then also know we have to take the responsibility. When you oversee it, you also know how much of a negative impact it can have."
PREVIOUS MEETING IN M16
"In a sense it was all about the performance before that against Chelsea in the week. We were mentally not ready for that [Bournemouth] game. They battled us and we lost the battles. Tomorrow will not be different as that is the way they play. They want to fight with you and it is about making sure you go into that fight with the convincing belief that you need to support each other. [We need to] win the battles and try to outplay them, to outrun them and, in defending, we must also match the runs."
Ten Hag's team news for Saturday
ArticleThe boss provides an update on his squad in advance of the trip to Bournemouth.
SQUANDERED POINTS
"It is, of course, frustrating but it is also for the team as well. The most important is that we get it, to put ourselves in a winning position, and it was not because we did not have a plan, but then you have to bring the win over the line. You should act in such moments better, but it is not about organisation, it is about tactical mistakes, sometimes technical, it was also not about our play. We need to manage certain situations better."
"It is, of course, frustrating but it is also for the team as well. The most important is that we get it, to put ourselves in a winning position, and it was not because we did not have a plan, but then you have to bring the win over the line. You should act in such moments better, but it is not about organisation, it is about tactical mistakes, sometimes technical, it was also not about our play. We need to manage certain situations better."
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