Erik’s press conference: Every word in part two
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag fielded questions on a range of different topics on the eve of his first away match in the Premier League, against Brentford.
The Reds will be looking to mark our opening domestic test away from M16 with a victory, as we prepare to take on Thomas Frank's side in the capital (17:30 BST).
In the second part of his pre-match press conference, the boss was quizzed on subjects such as Marcus Rashford's future and Cristiano Ronaldo's situation and you can read everything he had to say below...
Part Two | Press conference v Brentford
Press conference part two | Erik ten Hag fields questions on Ronaldo, transfer targets, and more...
Say Cristiano does start. For a manager, how do you manage a situation where you're starting a player who doesn't want to be at the club?
''That's your assumption. That is not what he is telling me.''
He is telling you he wants to be here?
''I deal with the players we have, and we planned with him for this season. We are happy with him, and now we have to fit him into the team. So he has to come to the right fitness levels so that he can do the job that we expect him to do.''
The attempt to get Marko Arnautovic, which the fans reacted badly to, was that a mistake? Do you think he would have added something here? He's 33 years old - it smacked as a bit of a gamble...
''Also an assumption, but I cannot speak about players who are under contract. When we have news, we bring it, like we did with Christian Eriksen, with Tyrell Malacia, with Lisandro Martinez. Then we will announce it.''
Erik, you said last week that you were prepared to wait for the right player to come in. To a lot of people outside the club and a lot of the fans, Arnautovic was the wrong person to come in. Has the strategy changed, because we're into the last few weeks of the transfer window, where you're having to make compromises with certain players you are trying to bring in?
''Of course, there are developments on the transfer market. But still we have to get the players in who can contribute, and not get players in who cannot do it. Then we have to do it with the squad we have, and then we have to improve the team.''
From when you first spoke to the club about coming over as manager, does the club operate in the way that you expected? Or have you been surprised with the way the club operates in the transfer market?
''We cooperate well and it's to my satisfaction. Of course, it was better to get the players earlier, then you get them earlier in the process. In midfield and in offence, you have seen when there is one injury, we have a problem. That's clear.''
Have you spoken to Marcus about the PSG story?
''Not yet, but he knows I love him. He knows I want him to be here. So I will tell him that again.''
Have you ever been in this situation before, where at the start of the season the squad is still so much in need of being filled?
''Yeah, I have been. I have that experience, yeah.''
Team news ahead of Brentford trip
ArticleErik ten Hag provides the latest news on how United's squad is looking before Saturday's game.
''I will not say it's always easy, but I think Man United stands for trophies, and then that has to be the standard that everyone has to expect. We cannot live with lower standards, because then we will not get back to where we need to be.''
You were appointed four months ago, in the last week of April, and you've said since then that you want a striker and a midfielder. So with four weeks left, is 'disaster' a fair word for the fact that you don't have a striker or a midfielder in?
''No, and of course, once again, it would have been my preference [to get them in earlier] because we could be starting the profess earlier. That's quite clear. But at the end of the day, the season is long, and it [the task] is to get in the right players.''
The season is long, but it's four months since you've been appointed. In your analysis why has it not happened yet?
''That is a difficult answer. When you have over one hour then I could brief you! But it's really complicated, that I can tell you. But until now, what we have done, I think we are really happy with it. That was the positive point from last week – not only from last week but the week before – Tyrell Malacia did very well, and Christian Eriksen and Licha Martinez both did very well in the game against Brighton, so we are happy with that.''
Ten Hag addresses Rashford speculation
ArticleThe boss discussed recent reports about Marcus's future during Friday's press conference.
''I think he has shown already in the short time I'm here, in pre-season, what he can do. And also last week he was twice in the position where he could score. So the team, with his contribution, he was at the right moment in the right place, and I know and I trust he will finish in the future.''
How do you assess his confidence at that moment? Last season he scored four or five goals... he's getting in those positions but he's not taking his chances at the moment...
''We're talking about one game. In pre-season he did score.''
Is there a possibility he could be distracted by this [transfer speculation]? Do you think he should be really concentrating on football at this moment?
''I know they are experienced, they know how to deal with that. Often there is an interest for a player, for a manager, and that is what we have to do deal with. We have to keep focused on what is most important. The priority is the next game.''
With potential signings for United, in years gone by every player wanted to play for this club. Do you think now it's more a case of having to persuade them, particularly without the Champions League?
''I don't know how it was in the past but, once again, we need high standards so we have to keep the high standards. So the profiles we want to get in [are also high].''
Training highlights: Action from Carrington
Training highlights | Watch five minutes from our midweek session, as the Reds prepare for Brentford away…
''Yes, but we already, in every press conference, we confirmed he is in our plans. So we planned with him and also around him.''
In terms of the players you want to bring in, is character one of the big benefits you want to bring in, when you talk about the right players?
''Of course, character is always an issue. That has to be good and it has to fit into the team.''
There's a perception this week, Erik, that there's a degree of panic within the club, in terms of the players that you've been trying to sign. Is there any panic, from your point of view, from inside the club?
''When Manchester United is not performing, not winning, that is normal [to panic]. I would be more in panic when there wasn't a panic! Because we have to win - that is the demand. But still, I would say 'panic' is not the right word. It's more like: come on, we have to act.''
So what word [is correct]? So you feel that something has to be done, but you're still doing it in a measured and controlled way?
''Yes. We have to think bright and do the right things.''