Ten Hag: Our belief has grown

The showcase clash at the iconic stadium will kick off at 16:30 GMT, and ahead of that fixture, Erik briefed the media on Friday afternoon.

The first part of his press conference, which was held at the club's Carrington training ground, was available to view on ManUtd.com and in our app from 12:30 GMT on Friday, but now the second part of that briefing has landed.

In this section, Erik is quizzed on the prospect of bringing silverware back to United, the progress his side has made this season, the "legacy" he aims to create at the club, and more.

You can read every single word from the second part of Ten Hag's pre-Newcastle press conference below...

Sir Alex always mentioned how important the impact was of winning a first trophy. At Ajax it had been years since [they] won the league when you brought it back. What impact does it have for players when they win that first trophy?
"It's massive but first get the first one. Now we have the opportunity to get that one, and don't think further ahead. That doesn't make sense, it doesn't help you. It's about focusing, we have the opportunity Sunday and we have to put everything we have in to get that trophy and to get that to Manchester."

Is there a sense that this could be the real start of a journey now?
"Yeah, but [just] focus on [the next game]. That is the only thing that we can do at this moment [win the Carabao Cup]. After it, we will look further on what it means and have a few things [we can achieve]. Either we win them and that's good, that can have the impact you mentioned, but if you don't win them [we will have] more opportunities and we have to carry on the process because we are still in a good direction. We can't be dependent on one game. But it's obvious we want to win the cup."

Have you sensed a growth in confidence and invincibility in the players since you've been here?
"I think it's obvious that our confidence, our belief did grow. And also with that process we have to keep going and every time find a way to win. It doesn't matter who the opponent is."

Erik, can we ask you about Wembley? Have you been there before, as a supporter to watch games?
"No I was never - I never had the opportunity to have the experience of being in Wembley. Only on television."

So you've never been there?
"No. I am looking forward with big joy."

Last night [after the Barcelona game] on the radio, Peter Schmeichel called the performance 'vintage Ferguson.' What does it mean when you hear ex-players and legends give the team compliments like that so early in the process? And also, obviously you managed at Ajax, and you're now at United - clubs with a huge weight of history. How difficult can it be sometimes for players to cope with that weight of history and the expectation that comes with it?
"Sometimes, yeah, it's difficult for the players today because every time [people are] referring to the past with big history, where former players [were successful]. I can imagine those players because they love the club. It's part of their life, a big part, and the ones who love you the most are most [critical] because [they want to see] that we are doing well so I can understand. But yeah, sometimes it affects players but also I think it is part of our job. You have to live with the criticism and see criticism as a gift to do better. They want to help you and as you are a player for Manchester United then you know you have to perform. You know you have to win games, you have to win trophies and that can only be possible when you do it with togetherness. You can't do it on your own. You need the team to perform."