Every word from the second part of Erik's pre-Liverpool press conference
The second part of Erik ten Hag's pre-Liverpool press conference is now available to read.
The Manchester United manager spoke to the media on Thursday afternoon ahead of our trip to Anfield on Sunday (16:30 GMT kick-off) and the first part of that briefing was released on Friday.
In the second part of the press conference, the Dutchman was asked about the impact of Casemiro, the importance of the rivalry with Liverpool, and more, as his side look to emulate the 2-1 triumph that we recorded over Jurgen Klopp's team back in August.
Below you can read all the questions, and all of Erik's responses, from the second section of his pre-Liverpool media briefing...
Part two: Erik's Liverpool press conference
Press conference part two | Four questions on Casemiro's qualities feature in this section of Erik's media briefing...
"Yeah, I think it shows we [are] winning a trophy, we are happy, but the players, they have the approach that good is not good enough. It was 2-0 so we could have won 3-0 if we make better decisions. And I think it's about that and it's good that players take each other in responsibility and set high standards and set high demands to each other and control them. So then sometimes you need a correction or you need a discussion so that player is aware of his responsibilities."
Have you ever had a player like Casemiro at Ajax or one you might have played with that set the standards in those ways?
"I had a player in Ajax who set such standards, but definitely Casemiro in this team, he is such a leader and he is so important for us. Not only with his performances, skills, like scoring a goal, or his header, or like linking up or intercepting balls. Organisation, the mentality, the culture, and we are so happy that we signed him."
"I am aware of it. I know what a rivalry is and I know that the biggest rivalry for us is Liverpool. We are totally aware of it."
Do you think you are taking a team of warriors? Because you need warriors to go there as well as footballers...
"Definitely. We need strong mentality on Sunday, if you want win this game, yeah."
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"Yeah, I consider definitely. I have to see and to face the consequences of it. The impact from the decisions, not only on the short term but on the longer term, of course. But you don't always have a lot of time in that period - I remember we had 10 days - so I could consider which choice would be the best. But I think you always have to think statistically and [consider] what is the consequence on the longer term. And I am aware of it but that's my job and that's the responsibility I have to take."
It was a successful decision, but were you worried it could have gone the other way? You must've had reasons for making the decision...
"I had reasons, they were obvious. And I knew also the consequence and also when it was a negative outcome from that game, which always is possible in football. But I'm not worrying. I sleep well, also in those nights, and I have to take the decisions in respect and in advance of the team and of the club. That is my job and that is the responsibility I have to take and I have to stand for those decisions."
Part one: Erik's Liverpool press conference
Press conference part one | Ten Hag recalls his Anfield visit with Ajax and gives a fitness update on two players...
"I think when you go to recruitment in the summer, we were looking for players with character, with personality and it was not only about signing a player - there are a lot of players in the world that have great skills. So technical approach or they can run really fast. But we are looking for players who have character. Players who have personality, who have leadership, who take responsibility, who are resilient. So that was the type of players I was looking for after I made the analysis of the squad."
Has Casemiro surprised you in just how good he is in those attributes you mentioned?
"No, from these attributes absolutely not. I knew what a magnificent player he was. Just look through his profile. You see all the cups he won and that's not [a] coincidence. Like Rapha Varane and Casemiro, they won five Champions Leagues. That's not a coincidence, it's not like all of a sudden. For me it's always the same. You have players who win, and win always, and players who lose and always lose. Of course, you have to do your research and find that type who will win and who are co-operative in the dressing room to be humble but when they are on the pitch they take responsibility and you can sit on the bench and you are composed, because you know the players will do the job and will deal with the situation and will bring you the wins."
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Hi Erik, just going back to the question about discipline. We spoke to Varane last week and we asked the change that you had brought to the club and he said it in one word: 'We are now disciplined.' Is that something you recognised when you came to the club, that for all the talent at your disposal, there was maybe a lack of discipline in the dressing room?
"It was. I don't have to lie about it. But top players, they like structure. They like structure on the pitch but also you need some rules and I think it's obvious in every organisation - and you are all also in organisations - when there are no rules, when there is no discipline in taking the rules seriously, you get a mess. You get a mess everywhere. Not only the football team, but also in the broadcasting stations where you are working for or the newspapers where you are working for. It's the same. It's quite obvious what you get because you see the trade on the pitch what's going on."
You're only time at Anfield was behind closed doors. Are you looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere as a Manchester United manager, because Anfield is a different beast when Manchester United are there...
"I know. I know. I've seen the games between Liverpool and Manchester United. I've been, I know what's going on there. I have been already in many hostile stadiums but it will probably be the worst - maybe. But I have been in other occasions too that are really hostile so I know what's going on there and I'm really looking forward and my players are the same."