Ten Hag: We have to prove our quality on the pitch

Since the Dutchman took charge at Old Trafford last season, the Reds have proved we are capable of beating the very best teams, including Sunday’s opponents Liverpool.

A trip to Anfield awaits off the back of home defeats to Bournemouth and Bayern Munich, and as we look to get back on track, Erik has reiterated that his team have shown the skill to come up with the goods in the biggest moments, but have to be able to show that more frequently.

It was in response to the penultimate question of the second part of his pre-match press conference, which you can read – or watch – in full below.

Hi Erik, the last couple of defeats, managers and players have said the same sort of thing about how they did it, like Harry Kane said Bayern knew they could hurt United on transitions, Andoni Iraola said they'd get chances on transitions. I think Bournemouth players said they knew there'd be space out wide on transitions. When you're hearing the same sort of thing, does that make you think that you have to change style, or are you kind of committed to this front foot attacking football?
“So, I'm not sure, when I analyse the game against Munich, I don't think they have had any chance on transition and although Bayern Munich is probably one of the best or maybe the best transition team in the world, they have so much speed in the frontline. But I can't remember any chance [on transitions]. They scored from a throw-in in our half so I can't see that. On the transitions against Bournemouth, yeah it was turnovers where we lost control too easily in the building up, but I think it's quite incidental, so I don't know if that's the truth.”

Erik, Sir Jim Ratcliffe or INEOS have visited the club in the last weeks. Have you had communication with them yourself?
“No.”

Would that be important to you ahead of them, potentially, owning a significant part of the club?
“So, I can't say anything about it. So, there are others in this club who are dealing with the strategic review. So, I'm just waiting. I'm focusing on my job and that is performing with the team, developing the team.”

Erik, you said Marcus Rashford is available. I mean, we don't know him as well as you do. Is he the type of character that needs an arm around the shoulder, encouragement to get the best out of him? Or is he someone that needs strict discipline and kind of a kick up the backside occasionally?
“So, I think any player almost, sometimes it's an arm around the shoulder, sometimes a kick in the ass. So, that makes a difference in the management. So, which approach are you taking? The kick in the ass or arm around the shoulder?”

Your captain is banned, you've got a load of injuries, and your form has been patchy, to say the least. So, what gives you the belief that you can go there and beat that lot [Liverpool]? Because I assume you do believe it. What gives you the belief that you can?
“I always have, when I go to any game, I have strong belief I'm going to win and I will prepare the team in that way, that we're going to win. And why? Yeah, because it's based on our rules and principles in the game, and it's based on our game plan and then a strong belief in the quality of my players.”

Well, that's all good in theory, but you could have said that at any stage. What have you seen? Have you seen in training that they've got that confidence about them? That they've got that belief that: ‘Yeah we're going to go there and win’?
“I see the quality on the training pitch, yeah, but the only moment you have to prove it is in the games, isn't it? And this team did prove this in certain games that they are under high pressure, and they played very good football. But also, we have our lows and so high highs, low lows. So, we have to, as a team, we have to get more consistent.”

After a number of defeats this season, you said you and your players need to learn from those defeats. Are you seeing that your players are learning from those defeats and what are you learning from those defeats?
“I think we did. And as I see, so from last week, the game, I think we are very disciplined in the way we defended Bayern Munich. Sometimes very high, sometimes very low. But we are really there as a team. And now we have to make the next step. So from those moments where we control the game, in and out of possession, we have to take benefit. When we regain the ball, so on the counters, on the high turnovers and then we have to transfer that to opportunities and chances, and of course, at least in the end, in goals.”