Every word from Erik's press conference: Part Two

The boss met with the media on Friday morning to preview our trip to London, set to kick off at Stamford Bridge at 17:30 BST.

The first portion of the media briefing was published immediately – and featured praise for our fans, Erik's opinion of Blues boss Graham Potter, plus questions about Cristiano Ronaldo – and you can now read the rest of that meeting, following the passing of this evening’s 22:30 BST embargo.

In this section, Ten Hag was asked further questions about Ronaldo and went on to explain more about the cultural standards he wants to set at the club.

Read the Dutchman's answers to those questions, and everything else from the second part, below…

Erik, there's one thing leaving the ground early, but it's a different thing refusing a manager's orders to go on the pitch. That's much worse, isn't it?
"I think everyone understands that. Both are not acceptable, so I don't want to debate one or the other. Both are not acceptable and that [is] why he [Cristiano Ronaldo] gets some days off."

Is there an argument for him to never play for the club again, after disrespecting the manager and the badge to that extent?
"No. It's for this game, and then we continue. I'm open for that and for me that is a strike. What we stay in the statement is Cristiano remains an important part of the squad and I count on him for the rest of the season. We want to fulfil our ambitions."

When you analysed the squad, did you sense that it was too soft under the previous manager and it needed more discipline?
"I don't look back in the past. It's about now, today, and so when I get appointed I talk to the directors about the culture, about the top sport culture, about standards and that's also why they appointed me. They did some background and we had talks about how I lead. So, what my personality is, how I do it in a strategic way and also about standards and my leadership. To get that top sport culture, you have to set the highest standards and then we have to live along [those guidelines]. That is what we are doing in this moment and that is not something [that] will happen or you can construct in a couple of weeks. It will take time. And I think also what you see in our games – and therefore I was really happy with our performance on Wednesday – is we are getting high standards. You see it on the pitch; it reflects what we are constructing."

Given the situation with Cristiano and Anthony [Martial]'s fitness as well, is the forward line something you want to improve in January?
"I count on Cristiano, so in this moment it is not an item."

Do you think he will be here for the rest of the season, or do you want him to be here for the rest of the season?
"Both."

Erik, what reason did Cristiano give for not coming on?
"The talk [we had], that is between Cristiano and me."

Goals have been hard to come by for the team. Was it a difficult decision to leave him out, as you haven't got many options on the bench, or does the principle have to come first for you?
"It's a difficult decision. It's clear. But I think there has to be consequences [for] behaviour. When it's bad behaviour, a second time, then you can't let it go, because otherwise it's going to misty, miserable for the future. So then you have to take this measure, which I don't like, because I prefer the squad with Cristiano on board."

He said yesterday on Instagram that it was the heat of the moment, but he didn't say sorry. Does he owe an apology, particularly to fans?
"He has to live as anyone else, along certain standards. Like the standards we set on the season."

He's always been very popular here for things he's done in the past. Do you think he now has to prepare for quite a harsh reaction when he does come back?
"I think it's justified, because he achieved a lot in his career. I don't have to mention but it's so brilliant. But also he has to be aware you get justified by the moment and by the way you are acting today. Especially in top sport, it is about today. It is not about reputation and when you do top sport you get justified, you get judged by the moment and [how] you act. That is normal, and we have to be aware of it. Not only Cristiano, everyone. We have to be aware of it as a team, as a manager, as a club."

Do you think it's become clear with your actions who is in charge, and that players who step out of line know they will be punished?
"It's not about that. It's about the club. I have to take the decisions in the interest of the club and the team especially. That's my job, so it doesn't matter who it is, [or their] reputation. Also, with my line-up, I have to pick the team where I think we have the best chance to win."

Erik, Cristiano's in quite early this morning. Have you spoken to him at all?
"This morning I didn't speak with him."

We're led to believe that he is training away from the group...
"But it could be that I meet him, I would speak with him no problem."

He's training away from the group at the moment. What do you hope to achieve by doing that?
"He stays fit, that's clear. In top football you can't rest for many days after each other. That is not what he wants, so he has to train."

But also is it a lesson to him?
"So, once again, the expectations at Man United are really high. The ambitions are really high. Our fans and our stakeholders expect results, so then you have to act along certain standards. And you have to work every day along it. Cristiano is not in the squad, but he is training to keep himself fit to get ready for the next game coming up after Chelsea."

The statement was quite clear about the action you have taken. Can you confirm if he's been fined or not?
"Also that is not an issue to discuss here. That is between Cristiano and the club."

Will he be back training with the squad on Monday?
"First we will talk."

So it could be long-term?
"I don't think so, no. That is not my purpose. What I said, I don't want to miss him. I want him to be in the squad, I want him to get in form for every game, because he has an impact."

That depends on his attitude though?
"Yeah. I think we set certain standards, but that is for any player."