Key quotes from Erik's FA Cup press conference
Erik ten Hag declared Manchester United "play our best football" against good opponents, as we prepare to take on Manchester City in the Emirates FA Cup final for the second year in a row.
We were edged 2-1 by Pep Guardiola's side under the famous arch last summer and, despite also being beaten by City twice in the Premier League this term, Erik is confident that if his players perform to their highest standards, we can lift the historic trophy for the first time since 2016.
Speaking to journalists at Carrington on Thursday afternoon, Ten Hag outlined his ambitions for Saturday's showcase and reiterated his desire to finish 2023/24 with a second piece of silverware in as many years.
Read on to see the best quotes from Erik's press conference...
Part one: Cup final press conference
Press conference part one | Erik discusses the team news, his key messaging and our hopes of lifting the FA Cup...
SILVERWARE IN OUR SIGHTS
"It's all about trophies and we have a huge opportunity to win a trophy. In the last 10 years [there have been] not many trophies in this club but we have an opportunity to win two trophies in two years."
WE MUST BELIEVE
"In a season that's not [gone] our way, we are there. We have an opportunity and it will never be easy but we have to go for it and we will go for it. We have to believe it as we did last season and as we know, often against good opponents, we play our best football and I expect us to do this on Saturday."
RASHFORD WILL BOUNCE BACK
"He looks good. A career has ups and downs and a down can also give you fuel and that is what I see in training. So he will be highly motivated and as you said, speak with your feet. He is very talented and already has a big career and I am sure he will get over this and make even more goals."
WE EARNED THIS CHANCE
"I came here to win trophies. On Saturday, I have the next opportunity and we achieved this. We earned the opportunity as a team and now we have to go for it. In the same time, in the last two years, of course, after every season you review it and we will see where we are in the project and things we have to change. We spoke lately about it, underneath there are very good things. Players coming up, players developing, and in the same time on Saturday we have a big opportunity to win the next trophy."
Ten Hag reveals Cup final team news
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"I think we were very competitive [against Manchester City] until a VAR decision at Old Trafford. A tough decision. I didn't understand, no-one understood. We haven't seen this in the rest of the season, the decision in such a moment in a penalty situation. At the Etihad, we were, for 70 minutes, very good in the game and had opportunities to go ahead. They could substitute but we didn't have the players on the bench. That is a big difference. On Saturday, we will have a bench and will have a much stronger side."