Every word from Erik's press conference: Part 1

As well as answering questions on that, Ten Hag was also asked about this weekend’s assignment as the Reds head to Kenilworth Road for Sunday's 16:30 GMT kick-off, aiming to maintain a positive start to 2024 so far.

But first, the boss provided updates on Luke Shaw, who was withdrawn at half-time of last weekend’s win at Aston Villa, his fellow full-backs Tyrell Malacia and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and midfielder Mason Mount.

Hi Erik, can you give us an update on Luke Shaw's condition in the last week?
"Yes, he is doubtful for the weekend, but we are positive he can make it. So, he fell out [of the game against Villa], it was a precaution and I think it was the right decision, especially when you, afterwards, win the game. But we work until Sunday."

What about the rest of the long-term injuries? Any of them closer to a return?
"First, Aaron Wan-Bissaka will take some weeks because he picked up another injury in the training last week. Mason Mount and Tyrell Malacia will take some more weeks."

Can I just ask you about Tyrell Malacia, Erik? He's had a very long period now out injured, we saw him a while ago on the training pitches, so what's the exact situation with him? Has he had a significant setback and when do you expect him to be able to play again?
"Yeah, he had setbacks during his rehab process. It takes too long, it's bad for him. Bad for us. But now, we turned a point and it's positive, he will return soon on the pitch. I don't think then it will take long before he's returning in the team training."

Clearly you'll prepare the team for facing Luton on the pitch this weekend and talk about the different aspects of their approach, but have you spoken to the players or given knowledge to the players about the atmosphere, the environment? Because it's a very different experience, Premier League football at Kenilworth Road, than maybe anywhere else...
"Is the pitch smaller or longer? It's not 11 [v] 11? No referees are coming?"

No, all those aspects are the same but...
"No, we have to... every ambience is different, of course, that is what I want to say. And we have to deal with the circumstances and it's about playing football, 11 v 11, on the pitch, with refs, and we have to make it our game. It doesn't matter who you face, if you play the best or the worst or in between, it doesn't matter. We respect every opponent and definitely we are not in a position to underestimate any opponent, so we will not do. We have to play our best because we have seen their performances across the season are very good, and especially the last weeks, they are really improving. I have a lot of respect for this team, and we have to play our best football."

Erik, you are six matches unbeaten now across all competitions, with five wins included in that. It's very positive on the pitch, especially with the attack catching fire. But also positive developments for the club off the pitch with INEOS and their ambitions in terms of the sporting structure but also the stadium...
"Yeah, you see, you feel that ambition. That brings a mood, brings a spirit in this club. The mood and the spirit which belongs to this club, and I think the players, the staff are very aligned with the ambitions of INEOS because that's why we are here, that's why we are playing for Man United. We want to win, and we want to achieve the highest, so we are very aligned, and we have to make strategies and we have to execute the strategies to prove the ambitions."

There's a lot of speculation about a new sporting director. I don't expect you to comment on individual names, but just in terms of the experience you've had with sporting directors in your career, how do you see your relationship with them and the decisions that are made?
"I think it's very important that you are [on] one page. About football philosophy, about football tactics, about the profiles of players you need in a team. It's very important to have a very good communication, so that you get the right players. Because it's one of the most important factors to develop a good team, that you have the right players, with the right players and the right characters. So, that means you have to do a lot of work so you get aligned. It's a long process to get the right players in."

Have you been in a post before where a sporting director has come in? And did you have input in that or spoke to them before they arrived?
"I worked in several situations where sometimes I was alone in charge, sometimes I had the cooperation. So, I've dealt with several situations, but I think it's so specific, especially on the top, also so intense with the number of games, that you need people around you who are on the same page, are working on the same targets, to achieve the high ambitions."

Do you expect to have any input into this appointment then?
"I'm here and I know in what construction I am working. And I'm very happy in this construction. So, I don't know anything about changes, and I talk with the new or foreseen sporting organisation but it's not up to me. I'm working and that is my focus point at this moment, on this team and we plan in this construction, in this organisation, for the future. So, we have a look. We closed the [transfer] window in January, we are working on the plans for the summer."

Can these positive moods off the pitch have a real effect on players on the pitch? Do you sense a feel-good factor? 
"I think everything is always aligned with each other. We are a club, we are not an isolated department, the first team. But I think for the mood of the club it's very important that the first team is performing, getting the right results."

Erik, as we mentioned, INEOS investment is getting close. For nearly all of your reign you've had uncertainty as to who the owners will be, you've had one chief executive go, you've had another one come... will stability and that long-term direction help you do your job better, do you feel?
"As I said, I'm working, I'm happy now. In this construction, when things are changed, they will tell me but yeah, as I said, in a club as Manchester United, you can't do everything alone, it's impossible. You need very good people around you, so I'm happy, we are there. But a club as Manchester United also always has to look for better and never be satisfied. Always [thinking] good is not good enough. Always looking for better. And always try to do every day better than the day before."