Every word from Erik’s post-match press conference
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag spoke glowingly about Alejandro Garnacho in his post-match press conference on Saturday afternoon.
The boss sat with reporters at Old Trafford after his team defeated Everton 2-0 in the Premier League, thanks to penalties from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.
Garnacho, although he did not score, was our Man of the Match, having been fouled for both of the spot-kicks during a dazzling display in the lunchtime kick-off.
Our no.17 was the subject of several questions for Erik in the media briefing, and you can see everything the boss said about Alejandro, plus Jonny Evans, penalty-takers and more, below.
Watch Ten Hag's post-match press conference Video
Watch Ten Hag's post-match press conference
Erik ten Hag answered questions about penalty takers, Evans and Garnacho in his post-game media briefing...
Erik, well done today. How satisfied with the performance are you and what stood out for you with the performance today?
“The lads transferred the game plan very good by dropping Bruno [in], also by dropping Scott and get the runs in behind from Garnacho and from Rashford. We expected already that high press from Everton with their double-six [defensive midfielders] going up to our double-six. We created spaces in behind, I was pleased with that. From there, we scored the goals, or the penalties, from that way of play. We took benefit from our pressing, I was also pleased. [The way we] defended the box, I was also pleased. The only thing that could be better, I think sometimes we could have been more calm on the ball, playing more give-and-gos when they have the high press, you can’t go all the way all the time with long balls because you stretch the pitch and we don’t actually want that. But I think all over a good performance, a good result.”
Two penalties and two different penalty-takers – why was that?
“They [Fernandes and Rashford] decided on the pitch, we have more very good penalty-takers in our squad. Bruno is one, Rashy is one, Casemiro is one, Christian Eriksen is one. So we have more. Also, even others. That’s very good when you have that in your squad and when you get, at such notice, two different penalty-takers, it’s more difficult for the opposition goalkeeper.”
“The lads transferred the game plan very good by dropping Bruno [in], also by dropping Scott and get the runs in behind from Garnacho and from Rashford. We expected already that high press from Everton with their double-six [defensive midfielders] going up to our double-six. We created spaces in behind, I was pleased with that. From there, we scored the goals, or the penalties, from that way of play. We took benefit from our pressing, I was also pleased. [The way we] defended the box, I was also pleased. The only thing that could be better, I think sometimes we could have been more calm on the ball, playing more give-and-gos when they have the high press, you can’t go all the way all the time with long balls because you stretch the pitch and we don’t actually want that. But I think all over a good performance, a good result.”
Two penalties and two different penalty-takers – why was that?
“They [Fernandes and Rashford] decided on the pitch, we have more very good penalty-takers in our squad. Bruno is one, Rashy is one, Casemiro is one, Christian Eriksen is one. So we have more. Also, even others. That’s very good when you have that in your squad and when you get, at such notice, two different penalty-takers, it’s more difficult for the opposition goalkeeper.”
I know you mentioned in your TV interview about xG [expected goals] but is it sustainable to have the opposition over 20 shots a game? You didn’t concede a goal today but can you carry on doing that?
“Yeah, we do already. I would say for a longer time and in many more games. Their xG is not that high, ours is much higher. It was their game plan obviously. We have players who feel comfortable to defend lower, but you have to be very disciplined. We co-operated very well and I think it was a team performance. But especially our back four with the keeper Andre at the back, and Casemiro in front, did very well.”
Do you assess xG because most people would say if the opposition has a lot of shots, eventually they will score?
“No, but that’s not true because they are low quality chances. You see the chances, yeah, they had some but also I think the way we defended set-plays was very good. It was really well organised and we were really focused. Everyone did their job in the second phases, they had some opportunities but all over, I think we did quite well.”
Obviously, Alejandro won the penalties today, he’s not missed a game since October I don’t think, is he becoming a player at 19-year-old who you feel you can rely on week-to-week in these games now?
“He can [make a difference], it’s about him, if he can keep the focus, if he puts the right effort in the games, but also during the week. If he keeps in that focus because, sometimes for young players, it’s difficult because they’re inexperienced, but as coaching staff, we have a job to do. But I think he is able to if he keeps this focus, this attitude, he will improve from game to game is what we see in this moment. We are very pleased with his performance.”
“Yeah, we do already. I would say for a longer time and in many more games. Their xG is not that high, ours is much higher. It was their game plan obviously. We have players who feel comfortable to defend lower, but you have to be very disciplined. We co-operated very well and I think it was a team performance. But especially our back four with the keeper Andre at the back, and Casemiro in front, did very well.”
Do you assess xG because most people would say if the opposition has a lot of shots, eventually they will score?
“No, but that’s not true because they are low quality chances. You see the chances, yeah, they had some but also I think the way we defended set-plays was very good. It was really well organised and we were really focused. Everyone did their job in the second phases, they had some opportunities but all over, I think we did quite well.”
Obviously, Alejandro won the penalties today, he’s not missed a game since October I don’t think, is he becoming a player at 19-year-old who you feel you can rely on week-to-week in these games now?
“He can [make a difference], it’s about him, if he can keep the focus, if he puts the right effort in the games, but also during the week. If he keeps in that focus because, sometimes for young players, it’s difficult because they’re inexperienced, but as coaching staff, we have a job to do. But I think he is able to if he keeps this focus, this attitude, he will improve from game to game is what we see in this moment. We are very pleased with his performance.”
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You mentioned maintaining his focus in the week, is that something you think he could be better at, something you still sort of have to tell him?
“With young players, you always have to tell. That’s my experience. In the week, you win your game and there we have to work very good in the training sessions, in meetings, we have to be spot on to get the performance in the weekend.”
Jonny Evans was given applause when he came off, are you impressed by his performances this season?
“Oh yeah, very. We are so pleased we signed the fifth centre-back because normally, you say, why five centre-backs in the squad? But you see, we are so happy we did this. As you see, his performance across the season, he’s such an important player for this squad. [He will] always be there when he’s needed and give good performances.”
There was a moment in the first half when your centre-backs swapped, left and right, was that a tactical decision?
“It’s tactical, today we swapped it from the start. Sometimes they swap in the game, today was more Raphael on the left, Jonny on the right. We can swap from game to game, it depends on many areas why we do this.”
“With young players, you always have to tell. That’s my experience. In the week, you win your game and there we have to work very good in the training sessions, in meetings, we have to be spot on to get the performance in the weekend.”
Jonny Evans was given applause when he came off, are you impressed by his performances this season?
“Oh yeah, very. We are so pleased we signed the fifth centre-back because normally, you say, why five centre-backs in the squad? But you see, we are so happy we did this. As you see, his performance across the season, he’s such an important player for this squad. [He will] always be there when he’s needed and give good performances.”
There was a moment in the first half when your centre-backs swapped, left and right, was that a tactical decision?
“It’s tactical, today we swapped it from the start. Sometimes they swap in the game, today was more Raphael on the left, Jonny on the right. We can swap from game to game, it depends on many areas why we do this.”
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Going back to the guy who made the headlines, Garnacho, you say you have to speak to him in the week and work on these youngsters, is he someone who takes information onboard very easily? Does he question you, I don’t mean question the manager, but ask why? Is he easy to work with?
“I love to work with Garnacho, but also many other players in the squad, to challenge them. He is a player [who] needs a challenge, he likes a challenge. He’s very brave, he’s very confident and our job to push him to higher levels, and he is doing this. He has high potential, we have to get the potential out and, therefore, you have to work day by day. When you’re young, you don’t know what it is to perform in a highly competitive league every third day, you need that experience. You don’t know you have to perform in every training session if you want to get better because there are so many areas for them to improve, to improve their game. Football is a very complicated sport, as we all know, and you need a lot of skills to be the best.”
“I love to work with Garnacho, but also many other players in the squad, to challenge them. He is a player [who] needs a challenge, he likes a challenge. He’s very brave, he’s very confident and our job to push him to higher levels, and he is doing this. He has high potential, we have to get the potential out and, therefore, you have to work day by day. When you’re young, you don’t know what it is to perform in a highly competitive league every third day, you need that experience. You don’t know you have to perform in every training session if you want to get better because there are so many areas for them to improve, to improve their game. Football is a very complicated sport, as we all know, and you need a lot of skills to be the best.”
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