Every word from Erik’s pre-Barcelona press conference
There were plenty of eyes on Erik ten Hag’s press conference this afternoon, as the boss addressed the media before Manchester United’s Europa League play-off second leg with Barcelona.
The boss – sitting alongside Raphael Varane – answered questions from the assembled journalists at Carrington on the eve of our highly anticipated meeting with the Catalans at Old Trafford.
Erik was asked for the latest update on his squad and he was also questioned on Barcelona’s absentees, the big occasions United are involved in this week, Sir Alex Ferguson and more.
You can see everything Ten Hag said, and was asked by reporters, below…
Ten Hag reveals team news for Barcelona tie
ArticleThe boss delivers a positive injury bulletin in advance of Thursday's huge clash.
Hi Erik, what do you need to do differently as a team to last week to get through the tie and secondly, what's the update on the fitness of Antony, [Anthony] Martial and Harry Maguire?
"There's still a training [session] to go but I expect Harry Maguire and Antony Dos Santos [will be] available. Anthony Martial is not available. He's back on the pitch but not in the team training so we'll wait for that. What we do different? You will see tomorrow on the pitch. We have an idea of course, but of course we can't tell that now."
Barcelona over recent years have had to make some pretty serious financial decisions to try and keep up with clubs like United and those in the Premier League. Given your experience outside of England and now coming into the Premier League, do you have any issues with how much more money Premier League clubs have to spend? Even over a club like Barcelona, world famous, supported by so many millions?
"It's obvious. I think that's the developments in international football, so there are regulations, and everyone has to keep to the regulations. That's also clear. But to be fair, I am not totally informed about all those regulations, it's not my job at the club. My job is to have a good team, to develop the team and to give good team performances."
"There's still a training [session] to go but I expect Harry Maguire and Antony Dos Santos [will be] available. Anthony Martial is not available. He's back on the pitch but not in the team training so we'll wait for that. What we do different? You will see tomorrow on the pitch. We have an idea of course, but of course we can't tell that now."
Barcelona over recent years have had to make some pretty serious financial decisions to try and keep up with clubs like United and those in the Premier League. Given your experience outside of England and now coming into the Premier League, do you have any issues with how much more money Premier League clubs have to spend? Even over a club like Barcelona, world famous, supported by so many millions?
"It's obvious. I think that's the developments in international football, so there are regulations, and everyone has to keep to the regulations. That's also clear. But to be fair, I am not totally informed about all those regulations, it's not my job at the club. My job is to have a good team, to develop the team and to give good team performances."
It's a big week for Manchester United that kicked off with that impressive win over Leicester, did you expect massive occasions like this, against Barcelona and then the cup final to come, so early on in your spell as United boss? And can you give us an idea of how excited the dressing room are for this week?
"Yeah definitely [I expected these occasions]. We all want to play big games, big matches. When we were young, we dreamed of it, we are now in a position, it's still February, but big games are coming up and we are really enjoying it, looking forward to it and excited. We have to give our best because we want to match with the best."
You were pictured having dinner with Sir Alex Ferguson, a picture has come out, I appreciate you might not want to divulge what was said, but how valuable is it having his expertise and experience to call upon when needed, particularly ahead of big European nights like tomorrow night?
"It's massive. I always enjoy speaking with people who have a lot of knowledge, have a lot of experience. He wants to share it, he wants to help, he wants to support. You feel Manchester United is his club, he feels so committed and he wants [to see] us doing well. It was a great night, and I am looking forward to the next night with him."
"Yeah definitely [I expected these occasions]. We all want to play big games, big matches. When we were young, we dreamed of it, we are now in a position, it's still February, but big games are coming up and we are really enjoying it, looking forward to it and excited. We have to give our best because we want to match with the best."
You were pictured having dinner with Sir Alex Ferguson, a picture has come out, I appreciate you might not want to divulge what was said, but how valuable is it having his expertise and experience to call upon when needed, particularly ahead of big European nights like tomorrow night?
"It's massive. I always enjoy speaking with people who have a lot of knowledge, have a lot of experience. He wants to share it, he wants to help, he wants to support. You feel Manchester United is his club, he feels so committed and he wants [to see] us doing well. It was a great night, and I am looking forward to the next night with him."
Erik explains value of Sir Alex meeting
ArticleTen Hag enjoyed dinner with our legendary former manager earlier this week - here's why.
I just wondered what your thoughts were given that Xavi is going to be without Gavi and Pedri who played in the first game, and I wondered whether or not you have an opinion on if Xavi is going to change his system, perhaps put four across the middle like he did in the Nou Camp?
"I don't know Xavi's thinking but it's obvious Gavi, Pedri are great players. Although they are very young, they have a positive effect on the game of Barcelona. But also, their squad, there is so much depth in it, they have players who can replace them. Tomorrow will be a very good team from Barcelona, if we want to win, we have to play our best."
Erik, you have a chance to win a title this weekend, you have a chance to eliminate Barcelona from a European cup this week and you're still in the [Premier League] title race, how would you summarise the progress the team has made this season and do you feel Manchester United is getting enough credit at the moment?
"Definitely, but it's not about credit, it's about trophies. We have the opportunity [to win one on Sunday], but the first focus point is always the next game and in that league [Europa League], we can't win a trophy this week. We have to go from game to game as the focus, but especially, you have to keep in the same mindset that every day we want to give a better version of ourselves. When you are facing such big teams as Barcelona, you have to play your best, otherwise you don't have a chance. So, we want to get through, to get to the next round and we have to give the best performance from this season. We believe in it, we're looking forward to it, so it gives us a lot of energy."
"I don't know Xavi's thinking but it's obvious Gavi, Pedri are great players. Although they are very young, they have a positive effect on the game of Barcelona. But also, their squad, there is so much depth in it, they have players who can replace them. Tomorrow will be a very good team from Barcelona, if we want to win, we have to play our best."
Erik, you have a chance to win a title this weekend, you have a chance to eliminate Barcelona from a European cup this week and you're still in the [Premier League] title race, how would you summarise the progress the team has made this season and do you feel Manchester United is getting enough credit at the moment?
"Definitely, but it's not about credit, it's about trophies. We have the opportunity [to win one on Sunday], but the first focus point is always the next game and in that league [Europa League], we can't win a trophy this week. We have to go from game to game as the focus, but especially, you have to keep in the same mindset that every day we want to give a better version of ourselves. When you are facing such big teams as Barcelona, you have to play your best, otherwise you don't have a chance. So, we want to get through, to get to the next round and we have to give the best performance from this season. We believe in it, we're looking forward to it, so it gives us a lot of energy."
Which 20 Barça players will be in Manchester?
ArticleThree players drop out from last week's tie, although Xavi has been provided with a welcome boost.
You were very animated with the fans after the game on Sunday, clearly it's a big game for you [against Barcelona], you had some big games in Europe at the end of your time in Europe with Ajax - I think Benfica and Roma were two of the big ones - does this feel like your biggest game in Europe since the Ajax semi in 2019?
"For me, the next game is always the biggest game. So, you have to go back but I'm not the type that's looking back, I'm looking forward. So, I am totally excited for tomorrow. Two big, great teams facing each other, at Old Trafford. It will be a massive atmosphere, great ambience. I think it is the best you can get."
"For me, the next game is always the biggest game. So, you have to go back but I'm not the type that's looking back, I'm looking forward. So, I am totally excited for tomorrow. Two big, great teams facing each other, at Old Trafford. It will be a massive atmosphere, great ambience. I think it is the best you can get."
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