Every word from Erik's post-match press conference
Erik ten Hag expressed his disappointment at Manchester United's UEFA Champions League exit when speaking to journalists in his post-match press conference.
The United manager fielded questions from reporters in the Old Trafford auditorium, after his side's 1-0 loss at home to Bayern Munich, a result that condemned us to finishing bottom of Group A and going out of the tournament at the end of the phase's final matchday.
On an evening where a win for the Reds, along with a draw between FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray, would have seen Ten Hag's team progress to the knockout rounds, the boss shared his assessment of the contest with the German champions and the Reds' unsuccessful European campaign.
You can read, and watch, the post-match press conference in full below.
Erik's post-match press conference Video
Erik's post-match press conference
Erik ten Hag speaks to reporters at Old Trafford following our Champions League exit...
Hi Erik, out of the Champions League, out of the League Cup, is there little room for error now for Man United off the back of that?
“There's still many things to play for. And now we can focus, of course, on the Premier League and this is the level we want to play, Champions League. So, we have to give every effort in to be in the top four so, next year, we are back in the Champions League and then, of course, the FA Cup [starts in January]. So, there’s still many things to play for.”
There was only one attempt on target tonight in a must-win game, I know you said you played quite well but is that a disappointment, a lack of chances?
“Yeah, I think the game was like this. I think both sides [had] fewer chances. But I think there was a good intensity in the game and I think, from our side, we brought Bayern out of their rhythm of the game. I think the defending organisation, pressing organisation, we did quite well, if not to say, I think very well. I think especially, the first part of the second half where we had also very good ball regains high on the pitch. But it is right that we didn’t take the benefit from it. Also, in that spell of the game, we had a very good chance from build-up, we had Bruno Fernandes with a shot just over the goal. So, we had our moments, but we didn’t take them.”
“There's still many things to play for. And now we can focus, of course, on the Premier League and this is the level we want to play, Champions League. So, we have to give every effort in to be in the top four so, next year, we are back in the Champions League and then, of course, the FA Cup [starts in January]. So, there’s still many things to play for.”
There was only one attempt on target tonight in a must-win game, I know you said you played quite well but is that a disappointment, a lack of chances?
“Yeah, I think the game was like this. I think both sides [had] fewer chances. But I think there was a good intensity in the game and I think, from our side, we brought Bayern out of their rhythm of the game. I think the defending organisation, pressing organisation, we did quite well, if not to say, I think very well. I think especially, the first part of the second half where we had also very good ball regains high on the pitch. But it is right that we didn’t take the benefit from it. Also, in that spell of the game, we had a very good chance from build-up, we had Bruno Fernandes with a shot just over the goal. So, we had our moments, but we didn’t take them.”
Erik, you finished bottom of the group with the lowest amount of points that Manchester United have got in a group phase… Bayern Munich are obviously a very good side and tonight was a tough game, Copenhagen have qualified and their budget is like a 20th of Manchester United’s… how do you explain that?
“So, I look to my team and, yeah, we had opportunities in games and we were in winning positions. I think we scored many goals. But then also, we have to see we gave it away sometimes by individual errors, but by not one player, but by more players and not every time the same. So, we gave the opponent opportunities to return. But if you assess that, also we had very good spells in such games but we have to do better. And the facts are we have not enough points. So, that is of course disappointing. We are disappointed as a group, and as a manager I’m disappointed. We should have done better.”
What have you learned about your players in this campaign, and if you were to start again tomorrow, what would you do differently? Would you do things differently?
“I think it's not only about talking about that campaign, then you come to the same things. So, why did this happen? I would say it's a symbol today, we have to make subs, and we're losing players, and we're losing also players who are very decisive for our game who can make the difference. I think it was, in many games, also the case in this campaign that we’ve not always had the players available we want to play. And that's definitely a part but now I give you a reason but don’t see it as an excuse. Because even when we are not all on board, we still have to win because that is the targets that belong to Manchester United.”
“So, I look to my team and, yeah, we had opportunities in games and we were in winning positions. I think we scored many goals. But then also, we have to see we gave it away sometimes by individual errors, but by not one player, but by more players and not every time the same. So, we gave the opponent opportunities to return. But if you assess that, also we had very good spells in such games but we have to do better. And the facts are we have not enough points. So, that is of course disappointing. We are disappointed as a group, and as a manager I’m disappointed. We should have done better.”
What have you learned about your players in this campaign, and if you were to start again tomorrow, what would you do differently? Would you do things differently?
“I think it's not only about talking about that campaign, then you come to the same things. So, why did this happen? I would say it's a symbol today, we have to make subs, and we're losing players, and we're losing also players who are very decisive for our game who can make the difference. I think it was, in many games, also the case in this campaign that we’ve not always had the players available we want to play. And that's definitely a part but now I give you a reason but don’t see it as an excuse. Because even when we are not all on board, we still have to win because that is the targets that belong to Manchester United.”
United 0 Bayern Munich 1
ArticleThe Reds produce a valiant display but bow out of Europe after Coman's second-half goal.
Erik, just 18 touches for Rasmus Hojlund tonight, it’s not all about him I know, it’s about the team, but how concerning is that? And also in terms of being able to change it from the bench, there didn’t really seem to be much proven ability to score goals…
“He scored five goals in the Champions League, and he has to take this because I think it’s a huge performance from him. That’s also to do with our attacking game in those games. So, he has to build on this into the Premier League. That is very good but, today, we didn’t create so many chances but also it has to do with a very good opponent you have to face.”
“He scored five goals in the Champions League, and he has to take this because I think it’s a huge performance from him. That’s also to do with our attacking game in those games. So, he has to build on this into the Premier League. That is very good but, today, we didn’t create so many chances but also it has to do with a very good opponent you have to face.”
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