Every word from Erik's pre-Barcelona press conference

United are set to lock horns with the current La Liga leaders on Thursday (kick-off 17:45 GMT) and prior to that match, our boss previewed the next instalment of what is very much a blockbuster fixture.

Ten Hag was joined by Reds defender Luke Shaw for the press conference - as is it is custom for a player to accompany the manager before a match in UEFA competitions - and offered an update on his squad, as well as discussing his late, great inspiration and Barcelona icon Johan Cruyff, plus plenty more.

Below you can read every response Erik gave in his contribution to the media briefing...

INJURY UPDATE

"It looks good. I think they are on the way back. They are coming back in the training squad [with] the individual [training work]. At the end of the week, maybe Scott [McTominay] can begin the training with the team and after the weekend, maybe Antony but we have to see. They [Antony, McTominay and Anthony Martial] are making progress, [that is] what we see now."

PRAISE FOR FRENKIE DE JONG

"I think we had [at Ajax] like a class of 2019 that was a team that was with a lot of fascination, and he brings a lot of that fascination and I think he [has] developed in the years after here in Spain. He became even better. He is a fantastic player, playing out for the back, he always has time. It was a pleasure to work with him."

MARTINEZ'S ABSENCE

"We have, I think, many options in the squad to sort it out and we can use Luke as a full-back and as a centre-back. We saw in the weekend he did both, and both he did very well. But we have in the centre-half [position], other good options and they do also well. We can choose by game what we prefer."

RESPECT FOR XAVI

"I think Barca is also a very difficult club. I think Barcelona in this moment is playing its best football since several years, but I think it's in the mind of the inspiration of Johan Cruyff. You still feel it here and you can see if you see the game of Barcelona, you see the way of play that is the inspiration of Johan Cruyff."

FOCUSING ON THE PRESENT

"Of course as a manager you have certain planning but the first game is always the game coming up, [that] is the most important game and that can also change your plans because of performances. Because of the tactics of the next opponent. Because of injuries or suspensions or whatever. But yeah, first game coming up, [is the] most important."

A DREAM FIXTURE?

"I like it and I was here before in Spain for Madrid and Valencia, but I think it is great to face Barcelona. I like the philosophy of this club and that is the football that bring up some many good players in big teams. We are really looking forward to playing them."

BOTH SIDES NEEDED A RESET

"I think it's the truth. Both clubs are in the Europa League and I think both clubs have the ambition to be in the Champions League and not just be in the Champions League, we want to have a big impact in the Champions League. To go along the group stage, to be [in it] after the winter, go in [the] semi-finals and finals and win even. But the reality is we are in [the] Europa League and that tells that both clubs needed a reset and I think we are both on the journey. I think we are both in the right direction, so I think it's exciting to face each other tomorrow night because it will help both clubs know where you are. It's a good test and you get challenged from such a test and you get better."

BARCELONA'S THREAT

"It is very clear when you see the stats of Barcelona, it is impressive, I think they defend well but I think their biggest skill is that they have so much possession. That's [why] I refer to Johan Cruyff, one of his big centres was 'when you have the ball, the opponent doesn't have the ball and they can't score'."

PREMIER LEAGUE V LA LIGA

"I think one thing that is true - and I think it's objective - is that the Premier League is high intensity football. But I think also that La Liga is really strong league and there are many good clubs in [it]. Also, I think La Liga is high intensity league. I don't think there will be a big difference between the two teams on that fact."