EUROPA LEAGUE
What Erik Ten Hag said in the press conference before the Europa League game against Barcelona
The Manchester United coach highlighted the happiness of his team in a week in which they face a determined Barcelona side at Old Trafford.
Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag sat down in front of the press before their Europa League second-leg knockout round tie against Xavi’s FC Barcelona at Old Trafford. The manager talked about the injuries to the squad, the good feeling within the camp and the desire to win trophies with the team.
How are the injuries?
“There’s still a training [session] to go but I expect Harry Maguire and Antony Dos Santos [will be] available.
Anthony Martial is not available. He’s back on the pitch but not in the team training so we’ll wait for that. What we do different? You will see tomorrow on the pitch. We have an idea of course, but of course we can’t tell that now.”
How do you fight against economic giants like Barcelona, who continue to spend despite their debts?
“It’s obvious. I think that’s the developments in international football, so there are regulations, and everyone has to keep to the regulations. That’s also clear. But to be fair, I am not totally informed about all those regulations, it’s not my job at the club. My job is to have a good team, to develop the team and to give good team performances.”
It’s a big week for the club, can you give us an idea of how excited the dressing room are for this week?
“It’s still February, but big games are coming up and we are really enjoying it, looking forward to it and excited. We have to give our best because we want to match with the best.”
It has been reported that you had dinner with Alex Ferguson the other day. Did you talk about how to approach this game?
“I always enjoy speaking with people who have a lot of knowledge, have a lot of experience. He wants to share it, he wants to help, he wants to support. You feel Manchester United is his club, he feels so committed and he wants [to see] us doing well. It was a great night, and I am looking forward to the next night with him.”
Do you think that Xavi will change the system in the face of casualties?
“It’s obvious Gavi and Pedri are great players. Although they are very young, they have a positive effect on the game. But also, their squad, has so much depth in it, they have players who can replace them.”
You have a chance to win a title this weekend, you have a chance to eliminate Barcelona from a European cup this week and you’re still in the [Premier League] title race, do you feel Manchester United is getting enough credit at the moment?
“Definitely, but it’s not about credit, it’s about trophies. We have the opportunity [to win one on Sunday], but the first focus point is always the next game and [in the Europa League], we can’t win a trophy this week. We have to go from game to game, but you have to keep in the same mindset that every day we want to give a better version of ourselves. When you are facing such big teams as Barcelona, you have to play your best.”
