Every word from Ten Hag's pre-Wolves press conference

After back-to-back wins over Burnley and Nottingham Forest since the return of club football after the 2022 World Cup, the Reds looking to continue the form against a side who have a new manager, in the form of Julen Lopetegui.

Prior to the match, Erik conducted a press conference in which he was quizzed about Wolves's Spanish boss, as well as the resurgence of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and potential January signings for United.

You can read all of Ten Hag's responses to the above topics, as well as a host of others, below...

Erik, have you had chance to think about Wolves yet? Is it possible to describe the impact that their new manager has had on them so quickly?

“As you just said, I just finished this game [against Nottingham Forest]. And now I have had a look at their base formation. I had a short look at [Wolves's] performance against Everton and I took notice from it. But to be in detail and think about a game plan, no I am not that far [yet]."

I asked you about Aaron Wan-Bissaka after the Burnley game and he has come in [against Nottingham Forest] and played well again. How much development has he got to make to be the kind of right-back that you want and have the characteristics of a player you want in your team?

“First, you have to be on the pitch. And in the first-half of the season, he was either injured or ill, so you don’t have a role in the squad. So, I thought that the break was good for him. He returned, he was in the training camp in Spain, he could play some games in preparation for the restart. Now he is playing games and he is doing really well so I am happy with his performance. But we need that competition in our squad.”

But how do you develop his game?

“By training. By coaching. And he has to play games in the team and then you can develop and then you can grow.”

With Cody Gakpo, I know you don’t talk about individuals, was it a case of deciding not to move for that particular player? And if you finished January without making a signing in the striker department, would you be satisfied, would you be okay, or would that be something you look at concerningly?

“I think we have a squad. We have the players who are matching our criteria. But with all the games that are coming, it is tough competition in all the leagues. But if you want to also be in all the leagues and keep playing in all the leagues by winning games and cups as well. So, you need players, you need numbers to cover. So, we need good players. Not only numbers, you need quality players to cover that and also that you need competition. And you need also that you can make tactical choices. So, we are looking for the right player for our squad and has to match our sporting criteria but also our financial criteria.”

Does Garnacho give you confidence that he can perhaps fill that gap if there is one? He obviously had a chance [against Nottingham Forest] and did very well off the bench...

“We need impact from the bench. And I am happy once again it was a player who come from the bench, Fred, who is scoring the goal. And I think all the subs who came on [against Forest] did really well. Also in the offensive department, you need players coming from the bench who will have an impact on the game, whether it is that you need a goal or a save when you are leading and that you can go for a counter attack or at least you keep the win on your side.”