Key quotes from Erik's pre-Arsenal press conference

Speaking to the media on Friday, ahead of Arsenal's visit to Old Trafford on Sunday, the boss delivered positive injury updates regarding Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.

The Dutchman is hesitant to rush any of his players - including centre-back Lisandro Martinez - back, despite United still being in with a chance of silverware this term.

Erik answered questions on the status of his squad as well as the threats Arsenal pose, his responsibility as Reds manager and more, as we prepare to face the Gunners in our penultimate home fixture of the 2023/24 season.

Read the best of Ten Hag's press conference quotes below...

THEY'RE DESPERATE TO RETURN

"Some players, they are really fighting to be available and that is so amazing. They all try. They are all desperate to play. Yesterday Licha came to me and he wanted to play on Sunday against Arsenal but he is not ready yet. He needs a little bit more time to go through the process. But he is so desperate and there are more: Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof. Luke Shaw had a setback in his process as well, but there is still a hope and he will fight to be available for the final."

GAMBLES NOT WORTH TAKING

"I will never gamble with a player. Never. It is about them, about their futures. That is the most important. About their careers. I have to take responsibility for it and of course, the club is the most important. But the safety of the player, the health of the player, is also always a high level [of importance]."

WE WANT TO WIN THE NEXT GAME

"We always go in a game to win and not preparing for next game. Of course it [the cup final] is at the back of my mind but we want to put out a team that is competitive for Sunday and a team that is eager to win and produce the best team for Sunday to win that game."

PREPARING FOR THE GUNNERS

"We know they are one of the best teams or probably the best team. You can discuss about this. Is City the best team or is Arsenal at this moment the best team? Very ball secure, so very good structures and we know we have to play absolutely to our maximum levels to get a result. But we are capable of it."

OUR FANS ARE THE EXAMPLE

"You see the fans on Monday, they were our example. That is what I told the players. They backed us and I think they see how we struggle and they see the problems we have. So they have a very good understanding about all the injuries that we have and we struggle but they are backing the team so I am very pleased with them."

INJURIES HAVE AFFECTED US

"I think they [the owners] have common sense and then see when you have 32 different backlines. When you have eight centre-backs, you use eight centre-backs. They see when you use 13 partnerships in centre-half, when you don't have a left full-back when we have so many injuries. They know it will have a negative impact on results. And still, we are fighting and it is huge, the FA Cup final. We are very happy to be there and it can still be a highlight for this season. Of course, we are not happy, but we know the reasons why we are underperforming in the league now, that is because of the injuries. I am a realistic person and I see this when I make this analysis. No team will perform when you have so many injuries in key areas."