Press conference and other interviews thread
- Thread starter Sassy Colin
- Start date
Eriksen on EtH:
Sevilla press conference:
Ten Hag on Rashford
Ten Hag on Garnacho and Shaw
Ten Hag on Martial
Martial again
Ten Hag on Eriksen
Martial defence
Ten Hag on Maguire
Ten Hag on Sabitzer
Ten Hag on style
Ten Hag on Antony
Ten Hag on Rashford
De Gea comments:
De Gea on criticism
De Gea on clean sheet record
De Gea on this season
Ten Hag on Rashford
Ten Hag on Garnacho and Shaw
Ten Hag on Martial
Martial again
Ten Hag on Eriksen
Martial defence
Ten Hag on Maguire
Ten Hag on Sabitzer
Ten Hag on style
Ten Hag on Antony
Ten Hag on Rashford
De Gea comments:
De Gea on criticism
De Gea on clean sheet record
De Gea on this season
Nottingham Forest press conference:
Ten Hag on injuries
Lindelof and Maguire?
Other team news
Ten Hag on Martial impact
Ten Hag on rotation
Can Martial start again?
Maguire suspended for Brighton
Martinez metatarsal?
Ten Hag on energy levels
Ten Hag on experienced players
Ten Hag on second half
Ten Hag on top four battle
'A cow in the ass' (
)
Ten Hag on injuries
Lindelof and Maguire?
Other team news
Ten Hag on Martial impact
Ten Hag on rotation
Can Martial start again?
Maguire suspended for Brighton
Martinez metatarsal?
Ten Hag on energy levels
Ten Hag on experienced players
Ten Hag on second half
Ten Hag on top four battle
'A cow in the ass' (
)We can now add 'looking a cow in the ass' to 'looking a gift horse in the mouth'.
The latter proverb I understand.
The Dutch need to go easy on their supply.
The latter proverb I understand.
The Dutch need to go easy on their supply.
It's a great saying to introduce at a press conference!
It actually means that hindsight is useless. The point is that you can look a cow in the ass if you're behind it, but that this is not going to get you anything; just like hindsight allows you to know what you should have done instead, but still doesn't get you anywhere cause you can't undo what happened. There's an explanation here: https://onzetaal.nl/schatkamer/lezen/uitdrukkingen/van-achteren-kijk-je-de-koe-in-de-kont. In the Deepl translation:
"In de kont"?It's a great saying to introduce at a press conference!
It actually means that hindsight is useless. The point is that you can look a cow in the ass if you're behind it, but that this is not going to get you anything; just like hindsight allows you to know what you should have done instead, but still doesn't get you anywhere cause you can't undo what happened. There's an explanation here: https://onzetaal.nl/schatkamer/lezen/uitdrukkingen/van-achteren-kijk-je-de-koe-in-de-kont. In the Deepl translation:
I thought you had to look in the cow's arse?
It's all very confusing.
"In de kont"?
I thought you had to look in the cow's arse?
It's all very confusing.
Embargoed section, not sure what happened to part 1:
Spurs press conference;
Ten Hag on Fernandes
Fernandes again
Ten Hag on Tottenham
Ten Hag on expectations
Is the game significant?
Ten Hag on Kane
Ten Hag on character
Ten Hag on Fernandes
Fernandes again
Ten Hag on Tottenham
Ten Hag on expectations
Is the game significant?
Ten Hag on Kane
Ten Hag on character
Brighton press conference:
Ten Hag on Jimmy Murphy statue
Ten Hag on Garnacho
Garnacho again
Garnacho available vs Brighton?
Ten Hag on the transformation
Ten Hag's targets
Ten Hag on trophy and top four
Brighton rematch
Ten Hag on away form
Varane and McTominay fitness
Ten Hag on young players
Young talent again
Ten Hag on Jimmy Murphy statue
Ten Hag on Garnacho
Garnacho again
Garnacho available vs Brighton?
Ten Hag on the transformation
Ten Hag's targets
Ten Hag on trophy and top four
Brighton rematch
Ten Hag on away form
Varane and McTominay fitness
Ten Hag on young players
Young talent again
Erik, a lot of supporters appreciated you when you picked up the gold and green scarf at the weekend. Was that an act of solidarity with fans who want new ownership?
“No, it was just polite. But I know what is going around and what the symbol of it is, but this matter was just polite.”
Just going back to the away form, I think it's one win against the top 12 teams. You have played 10 of them and there is just Brighton left to play. Can you put your finger on why you have struggled away from home, because I suppose if you want to be title challengers next season, you are going to need a better away record against the better teams?
“That is absolutely true. It has to do with personality and character, that is where we have to step up and we have to face this. We have to definitely improve.”
Erik, just on the takeover process, there was a hope that it would be resolved one way or another by the end of April. That's obviously not going to be the case and it has dragged on. You can't influence those plans but depending on what happens, it could influence what you want to do in the summer. How important in your mind is it that the situation is resolved soon, so that you know exactly what situation you face in the summer?
“Yeah. I think it is clear what I want but it is not up to me. It's about others in the club and finally it is only the owners who can make that decision. So it is not up to me and I can do everything I can, and I influence the processes I am in charge of.”
Do you think there will be people that will try to buy the club that will be very mindful themselves of the importance of the summer and they themselves will hopefully want the situation resolved quickly, to assist you in whichever way they can?
“Yeah, but still, as I keep telling you the same answer, I can take my influence and I will do with those processes. That is not my job and that is not my responsibility and so I don't also have the power to influence that. I am focusing on improving the squad, improving the team, improve the team's development and I have to make sure the team is progressing. I am focusing only on that.”
Erik you have said the aim is the Champions League and you're getting closer to that now. Do you feel this team and squad is ready for the Champions League because you obviously beat Barcelona who are La Liga leaders, then you went out to Sevilla. Do you feel the squad you have now is capable of competing in the Champions League next season?
“Yeah, I think so. But of course, I and we see this as a project. In the project also it belongs that in [transfer] windows you strengthen your squad. Or to make refreshments so that you can get more balance, that you bring more players in but I think we have already shown and proved that we can beat the best teams in the world. So yeah we can compete in the Champions League but at the end of the day we also want to still be in the Champions League in the winter. We want to compete and knock them all out. But still we have a long way to go.”
Just on Lisandro Martinez, is there any chance now he has had his surgery and is into his rehab that he is ready for the FA Cup final or is that ruled out completely?
“Completely no chance.”
In this sort of modern era of football you have directors of football at clubs, but do you think, actually, at any successful football club, the manager has to be the football person, therefore you get that power of authority through winning and building squads? So in the end, the manager is like what Ferguson was here or like Guardiola is at City, he becomes not only the manager but the chief scout, the director of football and in the end it is all about the manager still?
“I don't know if that is true because look at Txiki Begiristain [at Manchester City]. You cannot underestimate the role of what he has done.”
I am not underestimating it, but my question is do you think the manager has to be by definition, the most important football person at the club because that person lives or dies by results?
“Definitely. This is true that the manager, you have to back the manager, to believe in his strategies and his methods. So you have to back him to go and build his squad. At the end of the day, it is always about co-operation, no one can do it on their own. I don't believe that one person can do it, because there are so many jobs and tasks to do. There are so many aspects you have to take control of, you have to appoint and I don't think one person can do it and it always about co-operation. Then it is about quality that makes a strategy and you need more people and people to do it with togetherness. You can see that in reflection to the football and on the pitch because 11 players have to do it with togetherness.”
Hi Erik. Just another question on the whole takeover thing. I appreciate you have no power over what happens next, but are you confident or have you been told that you will have the funds to do what you want this summer, irrespective of how it goes and who takes over?
“No I don't have. I don't have influence on that also, I don't know. So the only thing that I know is that Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs and it is among two to three of the biggest clubs in the world from a fanbase perspective. I think this club has to compete for the highest [honours] in the world: Champions League and Premier League. But for that, you need funds, to construct squads because, at the end of the day, the levels from your players dictate whether you are a success or not.”
But when the whole thing started, you say that any takeover would mean more money for you. I was just wondering as this thing has been drawn out over time, whether or not you have been given certain reassurances that whatever happens from May of course, that you will have the funds that you thought you were going to have?
“Again, everyone knows you need funds to construct a squad and high-level players, they cost a lot of money. That is nowadays the situation in top-level football.”
“No, it was just polite. But I know what is going around and what the symbol of it is, but this matter was just polite.”
Just going back to the away form, I think it's one win against the top 12 teams. You have played 10 of them and there is just Brighton left to play. Can you put your finger on why you have struggled away from home, because I suppose if you want to be title challengers next season, you are going to need a better away record against the better teams?
“That is absolutely true. It has to do with personality and character, that is where we have to step up and we have to face this. We have to definitely improve.”
Erik, just on the takeover process, there was a hope that it would be resolved one way or another by the end of April. That's obviously not going to be the case and it has dragged on. You can't influence those plans but depending on what happens, it could influence what you want to do in the summer. How important in your mind is it that the situation is resolved soon, so that you know exactly what situation you face in the summer?
“Yeah. I think it is clear what I want but it is not up to me. It's about others in the club and finally it is only the owners who can make that decision. So it is not up to me and I can do everything I can, and I influence the processes I am in charge of.”
Do you think there will be people that will try to buy the club that will be very mindful themselves of the importance of the summer and they themselves will hopefully want the situation resolved quickly, to assist you in whichever way they can?
“Yeah, but still, as I keep telling you the same answer, I can take my influence and I will do with those processes. That is not my job and that is not my responsibility and so I don't also have the power to influence that. I am focusing on improving the squad, improving the team, improve the team's development and I have to make sure the team is progressing. I am focusing only on that.”
Erik you have said the aim is the Champions League and you're getting closer to that now. Do you feel this team and squad is ready for the Champions League because you obviously beat Barcelona who are La Liga leaders, then you went out to Sevilla. Do you feel the squad you have now is capable of competing in the Champions League next season?
“Yeah, I think so. But of course, I and we see this as a project. In the project also it belongs that in [transfer] windows you strengthen your squad. Or to make refreshments so that you can get more balance, that you bring more players in but I think we have already shown and proved that we can beat the best teams in the world. So yeah we can compete in the Champions League but at the end of the day we also want to still be in the Champions League in the winter. We want to compete and knock them all out. But still we have a long way to go.”
Just on Lisandro Martinez, is there any chance now he has had his surgery and is into his rehab that he is ready for the FA Cup final or is that ruled out completely?
“Completely no chance.”
In this sort of modern era of football you have directors of football at clubs, but do you think, actually, at any successful football club, the manager has to be the football person, therefore you get that power of authority through winning and building squads? So in the end, the manager is like what Ferguson was here or like Guardiola is at City, he becomes not only the manager but the chief scout, the director of football and in the end it is all about the manager still?
“I don't know if that is true because look at Txiki Begiristain [at Manchester City]. You cannot underestimate the role of what he has done.”
I am not underestimating it, but my question is do you think the manager has to be by definition, the most important football person at the club because that person lives or dies by results?
“Definitely. This is true that the manager, you have to back the manager, to believe in his strategies and his methods. So you have to back him to go and build his squad. At the end of the day, it is always about co-operation, no one can do it on their own. I don't believe that one person can do it, because there are so many jobs and tasks to do. There are so many aspects you have to take control of, you have to appoint and I don't think one person can do it and it always about co-operation. Then it is about quality that makes a strategy and you need more people and people to do it with togetherness. You can see that in reflection to the football and on the pitch because 11 players have to do it with togetherness.”
Hi Erik. Just another question on the whole takeover thing. I appreciate you have no power over what happens next, but are you confident or have you been told that you will have the funds to do what you want this summer, irrespective of how it goes and who takes over?
“No I don't have. I don't have influence on that also, I don't know. So the only thing that I know is that Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs and it is among two to three of the biggest clubs in the world from a fanbase perspective. I think this club has to compete for the highest [honours] in the world: Champions League and Premier League. But for that, you need funds, to construct squads because, at the end of the day, the levels from your players dictate whether you are a success or not.”
But when the whole thing started, you say that any takeover would mean more money for you. I was just wondering as this thing has been drawn out over time, whether or not you have been given certain reassurances that whatever happens from May of course, that you will have the funds that you thought you were going to have?
“Again, everyone knows you need funds to construct a squad and high-level players, they cost a lot of money. That is nowadays the situation in top-level football.”
What a load of boring questions
Ten Hag's interviews are terribly boring compared to Rangnick's. Miss those times.
It's not his fault they ask him a load of stuff about the potential takeover, over which he has no influence and he's repeatedly told the thick cnut journalists that he has nothing to do with it.
We want to know team news, you thick fecking useless cnuts.
3 takeover questions out of 10, these people are fecking idiots. How about an injury update. How is Garnacho training.
It would be nice if journalists actually cared about the football. Or at least, I think you'd get a real and interesting conversation out of Ten Hag if you asked him proper questions about tactical decisions and consequences.
Sooner this takeover gets sorted we might actually get some proper questions again
I doubt it: proper analytical pieces don't attract that many readers. Instead, he'll be asked more about injured players, possible squad controversies (in the fall, it's was all Ronaldo all the time), potential fights with other teams, and whatever gossipy stuff they can come up with (and invent).
Is it going to be hard picking players up after the manner of that defeat and the tight turnaround between games?
“Every time this season when we have had a defeat, we bounce back. So, I count on my players and my team to do it again. So, there is no time to stay in this [mood]. We go to the game against West Ham United, and we will all focus on that. We will prepare them, we make a good plan. The players have to take responsibility and they will do, I count on that. They have to do it and they can do it, because we have the evidence this season that every time we had a disappointment, they bounce back.”
Will it be the same squad or is there a chance of some players coming back?
“No. I think it will be the same squad. Maybe one player: [Alejandro] Garnacho, I have to see. Maybe he can be involved but we will have to see how the progress can go.”
How comfortable do you feel about getting top four? You have that gap with Liverpool, but with them winning in the week and the result today, how do you feel about your top-four chances?
“I think we have had quite a good run so far. In our last five, we had four wins and a draw. We have everything in our hands. So, we have to focus on our performance. I trust my players, so I am quite convinced about it, yeah.”
Antony seemed to be the focus of a lot of attention against Brighton. How do you channel his passion to be proactive on the field? He is a very passionate man, how do you keep him focused?
“I think his passion is a strength. Of course, there is a certain level. You have to control it. You need passion and desire to win your games and to win battles in the game. I think this is very strong with him, he is very ambitious. So, as I say, don’t go over the top. Stay focused on your game and what the game needs. If he does that, he is a great player.”
Is he focused at the moment?
“Yes, I think his performance, his improvement, it is quite obvious and clear.”
West Ham have conceded nine in three and are clearly having defensive issues at the moment, up against David Moyes, a very experienced manager. How can you exploit them defensively and what is it like coming up against someone so experienced in the Premier League who can change things because he has that knowledge?
“It is an experienced and fantastic manager. So long already in the Premier League. I am looking forward [to it]. We faced them this season twice, because also we faced them in the FA Cup and it’s going to be another great game. Every game is a battle, every game is a challenge. We have to get ready for that game.”
How important is it for Man United to be in the Champions League and to have Champions League football next season? Is it vital?
“Manchester United, of course, we need to be there, in the Champions League. We want to be there because we want to challenge with the best teams in the world. So we do everything that’s in our power to get that done.”
People are looking at the takeover and the uncertainty: is Champions League football vital for your summer?
“I think it is always vital. We have to be in the Champions League and it is a battle because in the Premier League, many clubs are competing for it. We have the power and we have to fight for it as well. But we want to be there and will do everything to get there.”
“Every time this season when we have had a defeat, we bounce back. So, I count on my players and my team to do it again. So, there is no time to stay in this [mood]. We go to the game against West Ham United, and we will all focus on that. We will prepare them, we make a good plan. The players have to take responsibility and they will do, I count on that. They have to do it and they can do it, because we have the evidence this season that every time we had a disappointment, they bounce back.”
Will it be the same squad or is there a chance of some players coming back?
“No. I think it will be the same squad. Maybe one player: [Alejandro] Garnacho, I have to see. Maybe he can be involved but we will have to see how the progress can go.”
How comfortable do you feel about getting top four? You have that gap with Liverpool, but with them winning in the week and the result today, how do you feel about your top-four chances?
“I think we have had quite a good run so far. In our last five, we had four wins and a draw. We have everything in our hands. So, we have to focus on our performance. I trust my players, so I am quite convinced about it, yeah.”
Antony seemed to be the focus of a lot of attention against Brighton. How do you channel his passion to be proactive on the field? He is a very passionate man, how do you keep him focused?
“I think his passion is a strength. Of course, there is a certain level. You have to control it. You need passion and desire to win your games and to win battles in the game. I think this is very strong with him, he is very ambitious. So, as I say, don’t go over the top. Stay focused on your game and what the game needs. If he does that, he is a great player.”
Is he focused at the moment?
“Yes, I think his performance, his improvement, it is quite obvious and clear.”
West Ham have conceded nine in three and are clearly having defensive issues at the moment, up against David Moyes, a very experienced manager. How can you exploit them defensively and what is it like coming up against someone so experienced in the Premier League who can change things because he has that knowledge?
“It is an experienced and fantastic manager. So long already in the Premier League. I am looking forward [to it]. We faced them this season twice, because also we faced them in the FA Cup and it’s going to be another great game. Every game is a battle, every game is a challenge. We have to get ready for that game.”
How important is it for Man United to be in the Champions League and to have Champions League football next season? Is it vital?
“Manchester United, of course, we need to be there, in the Champions League. We want to be there because we want to challenge with the best teams in the world. So we do everything that’s in our power to get that done.”
People are looking at the takeover and the uncertainty: is Champions League football vital for your summer?
“I think it is always vital. We have to be in the Champions League and it is a battle because in the Premier League, many clubs are competing for it. We have the power and we have to fight for it as well. But we want to be there and will do everything to get there.”
Embargoed section :
Wolves press conference:
Mixed news on the injury front
On a free midweek
Any nerves among the players?
Ten Hag on De Gea's response to West Ham error
Ten Hag on United's impressive home form
Ten Hag on if Amad has a future at United
Ten Hag on Garnacho's availability
Ten Hag on the threat of Liverpool behind
Mixed news on the injury front
On a free midweek
Any nerves among the players?
Ten Hag on De Gea's response to West Ham error
Ten Hag on United's impressive home form
Ten Hag on if Amad has a future at United
Ten Hag on Garnacho's availability
Ten Hag on the threat of Liverpool behind
First of all, on the injury front with Marcus [Rashford], Rapha Varane and Scott McTominay, are they available this weekend?
"It's positive on Varane, [he’s] definitely available. Scott, [he’s] joining in training, I think if the final training [session] goes well, he'll be in. Also, Rashy, he trained the whole week but today he reported he doesn't feel well, so he's ill. We have to see how he recovers during the day and then see tomorrow."
Obviously, Manchester City reached the Champions League final this week with a fantastic performance that I'm guessing kind of sets the standard that you have to match as a whole... how does that affect the group that you need, the players that you need and then the ability to go out and spend in the transfer market? How do you look at that when you see the level you've got to reach?
"When you see this project, it's first of all important to get into the Champions League. I don't think today of that standard, I look to the next game and that's Bournemouth. We have to win that to get in the Champions League, we have everything in our hands. So, we focus on the game and the games coming up, the first game is the most important.”
Have you had conversations with Richard Arnold and John Murtough about what is going to be available to you?
"We are talking every day."
Erik, as far as Bournemouth is concerned, how impressed have you been as far as the turnaround that they've had after flirting with relegation and now finding themselves in a really good position?
"I think, as far as I can see, it's really brilliant that a club like Bournemouth [have been] that long in the Premier League [over the years] and now already, before the end of the season, they are definitely safe for next season in the Premier League as well. So, I think it's a massive performance from them, it's a good team, it's a really good structure in that team, you can see clear patterns. So, well done."
How much of a threat do they represent to you? Obviously, you have that game in hand as far as qualification for fourth is concerned, but you have to make sure everyone is fully ready, you can't take anything for granted at this stage...
"You tell it right! So, I don't have to [say anything], you already reply [with] your own answer!"
Erik, obviously we heard the news about Phil Jones today. You haven't been able to see him on the pitch but...
"Yes, [I have for] 20 minutes [in the] first training [session] of the year! But, I think he has [had] a great career, what he achieved, winning the Premier League, winning the FA Cup, winning the Europa League, being present at two World Cups, a massive career at Man United. So, all the credit for his career."
And just on Marcel Sabitzer as well, obviously he won't be available to you for the rest of the season, but is he somebody you could potentially look to keep here on another loan or a permanent deal?
"We will see, but it's not our main focus, our main focus is Bournemouth."
"It's positive on Varane, [he’s] definitely available. Scott, [he’s] joining in training, I think if the final training [session] goes well, he'll be in. Also, Rashy, he trained the whole week but today he reported he doesn't feel well, so he's ill. We have to see how he recovers during the day and then see tomorrow."
Obviously, Manchester City reached the Champions League final this week with a fantastic performance that I'm guessing kind of sets the standard that you have to match as a whole... how does that affect the group that you need, the players that you need and then the ability to go out and spend in the transfer market? How do you look at that when you see the level you've got to reach?
"When you see this project, it's first of all important to get into the Champions League. I don't think today of that standard, I look to the next game and that's Bournemouth. We have to win that to get in the Champions League, we have everything in our hands. So, we focus on the game and the games coming up, the first game is the most important.”
Have you had conversations with Richard Arnold and John Murtough about what is going to be available to you?
"We are talking every day."
Erik, as far as Bournemouth is concerned, how impressed have you been as far as the turnaround that they've had after flirting with relegation and now finding themselves in a really good position?
"I think, as far as I can see, it's really brilliant that a club like Bournemouth [have been] that long in the Premier League [over the years] and now already, before the end of the season, they are definitely safe for next season in the Premier League as well. So, I think it's a massive performance from them, it's a good team, it's a really good structure in that team, you can see clear patterns. So, well done."
How much of a threat do they represent to you? Obviously, you have that game in hand as far as qualification for fourth is concerned, but you have to make sure everyone is fully ready, you can't take anything for granted at this stage...
"You tell it right! So, I don't have to [say anything], you already reply [with] your own answer!"
Erik, obviously we heard the news about Phil Jones today. You haven't been able to see him on the pitch but...
"Yes, [I have for] 20 minutes [in the] first training [session] of the year! But, I think he has [had] a great career, what he achieved, winning the Premier League, winning the FA Cup, winning the Europa League, being present at two World Cups, a massive career at Man United. So, all the credit for his career."
And just on Marcel Sabitzer as well, obviously he won't be available to you for the rest of the season, but is he somebody you could potentially look to keep here on another loan or a permanent deal?
"We will see, but it's not our main focus, our main focus is Bournemouth."