Ten Hag and Eriksen on Manchester Utd's must win UCL game at Copenhagen
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00:00 Welcome everybody to our press conference for our Champions League game against FC Copenhagen tomorrow night.
00:22 Eric, we'll start with the good news. Obviously, Marcus Rashford trained today, Harry Maguire trained as well.
00:37 How ready is Marcus to start again? And also with Harry, did he have to go through concussion protocols?
00:43 What precautions have you had to take with him to make sure that he's ready?
00:47 We did all the protocols during the game, after the game, so he's ready to play. So not any indication.
00:58 And Marcus, how ready is he?
01:00 100%.
01:01 How much of a boost is it to have two players like that available to you, given the fact that Marcus missed the weekend and Harry suffered that injury early on in the game?
01:12 He was fine in the game, so no problems. He played a very good game. So, I missed one game out, a small knock, but he's back.
01:24 Hi Eric. The Parkins Stadium is renowned for having a very good atmosphere, it can be very atmospheric.
01:35 This team has been in hostile crowds and they've sometimes had quite bad results. Are you a lot more confident in this team now that they have the character to endure quite a tough atmosphere?
01:46 We're looking forward. This team is experienced and experienced hostile. For instance, last year at Barcelona, we can get good performances and we can get good results, we know that.
02:01 Just on one of your players, on the weekend a lot of United fans cheered when he was substituted. You said last week there's been a lot of noise around him this season.
02:14 Why is he struggling? He's not scored, he's not got an assist this season.
02:18 I think last week I made that remark on him. He was out for a couple of weeks, so that break, the rhythm. I think he had a very good pre-season where he scored.
02:34 I think he scored twice in the pre-season. Then he had a break. Now he has to get himself back in good form. It's hard work, invest and it will come.
02:46 A question for you, Christian. Earlier Jakob Næstorp said that the atmosphere in Parken is 100 times more intense than it is on Old Trafford. You know both stadiums, how it can be. Do you agree on that?
03:01 I've never played against Copenhagen in here. I've only been here with the national team and I do know the atmosphere with the national team is very special. I do expect a special atmosphere. I don't know if it's 100 times more theatrical than it would be at Old Trafford. I'm not sure about that.
03:17 One at the back.
03:20 Mr. Ten Hag, previous to Fulham you said you wanted to elaborate that when you play direct that doesn't just mean long balls. You need to press at all levels. Could you further explain what those levels you're looking for in your press?
03:37 I think it's pretty clear what you expect. You need good formation, good constructions and then composed on the ball. Find the solution on the ball. There are moments you go more direct. That depends on which solution is the best.
03:59 The players have to make the right decisions. I have to tell them in which formations they have to go into. But finally it's up to the players. Also, you have to find solutions because an opponent can do different things. They have to find different positions and then they have to make decisions on the ball.
04:19 Between the player who has the ball and who has received the ball, decision making on the ball, movement off the ball.
04:28 Christian, does this ability to find solutions, movement on the ball, is this encouraging for you to have that freedom?
04:35 Yes, I think it is. Of course it demands a lot from you to be able to do both. But also at the time to have a bit of control but also to punish the opponent. I hope tomorrow will be the same. I'm sure the manager will make a good game plan and then we'll take it from there.
04:54 Let's take one on this side, Mark.
04:56 Hi Eric, at the weekend the fans had a banner which said 'Play like you mean it'. Can I just ask you what you thought about that? Do you sympathise with that banner? Do you understand why the fans unveiled that banner to the players? The banner 'Play like you mean it' at Fulham?
05:11 The banner that said 'Play like you mean it' that was encouraging the players to play like they mean it.
05:16 Do you understand the sentiments behind it?
05:19 I think the players make their efforts but it can always be more. We expect the highest standards at Manchester United. When you're a player, when you're a staff, when you're a manager at Manchester United, the fans expect the highest standards.
05:37 They expect that you at least win every game. We from ourselves have very high expectations but also when you're not playing right and in a well performance, you still have to win.
05:50 Hi Eric, you've been working with Rasmus Højlund for a few months now. Can you tell us what you think about what he has done so far, both in practice and in matches?
06:03 I think he integrates very well. He's scored three goals in the Champions League already, which is very good for an integration period.
06:15 I think as a team we can be better in possession so we can create more and better chances. That will also give our offensive players more opportunities to score goals.
06:31 What we have to work on is a stable start to the XI, or at least with 12 or 13 players. I think the routines will be better and there will be more chances.
06:44 But I think, as I said, social-wise he integrates very well in the team, in the club. From a football perspective, when you've already scored three goals in the Champions League, it's a very good performance.
06:57 From here on, you have to take it on and improve. That is the character of Rasmus. He wants to improve every day. It's lovely to work with him and with such characters.
07:11 How is it to play with Rasmus?
07:15 First and foremost, he's a very nice guy. Like the manager said, he works very hard. He wants to improve and he does his thing. He does his job very well.
07:28 He integrates in the team very well. Of course, the more games you play, the more you get to know each other. He's only just arrived so I'm sure it will only get better.
07:38 Christian, what do you feel is at stake tomorrow, given that you need points to qualify for the later stages in the Champions League?
07:53 The only thing for us is three points. To put ourselves in a position to go through is the three points. We know that after we lost a lot of points in the first few games, we need to catch up. Tomorrow is another game to get three more points.
08:13 You've had a lot of dramatic wins this season, like injury time winners, whereas in the first third of last year you were controlling games, winning by two or three and then seeing the game out.
08:27 How do you get back to that level of performance where you dominate games and put teams away?
08:33 First of all, by getting more to start 11 or 12 or 13 players, you can rotate. You get routines in the team.
08:46 Often, in this season so far, we had left full-back, right forward position. We have to change a lot. You swap the team, you don't get the routines in. Also, the midfield balance is not there.
09:03 But I'm sure once we get there, I think we will play better. We will improve our game, the performance will be better. From there on, I'm happy with the points we've got so far.
09:16 We don't even play well, but we are in a position where we are not too far away. We are in a position where we can compete for everything.
09:29 I'm happy with that, but we want to play better. That's absolutely our target.
09:39 Are you confident that once you get a stable team of 12 or 13 players, you can go on a winning run?
09:51 Of course, once you get more stable in the team, you have a better chance to go on a run and win some games after each other. It puts you in a better position because it also gives you more belief, more confidence.
10:10 You have to make that look, of course, as a team. But it starts with good organisation in and out of position and it starts with a very good attitude on the pitch.
10:23 I think that last point is absolutely what we have now. We have such a good vibe and spirit that even when we are not playing our best games, we are still creating chances.
10:35 I can see that when I see the XG from us in games, it's still there. When we get ourselves in a position where we net some opportunities, we will get more belief and confidence in the team.
10:51 Then I think we are able to get into a run.
10:55 Just with regard to Rasmus, he is very strong mentally. Is it a bit of a challenge for him to come into this team that, as you are saying, has not been at its best?
11:03 Do you speak to him about that or is he clever enough to understand that it will come?
11:09 He understands, but of course we speak with him about this because he is still a young player. But he is smart and he understands the situation where he is in.
11:25 He is aware of it and he wants to score goals. When he is not, he is so keen to score next game goals. He is working very hard in training to get his progress in.
11:43 Do you have any idea of the time scales of a player like Luke Shaw, Malacia, Messi, Casemiro and MartÃnez when they will be back?
12:01 I have some time schedules, but it is always difficult to prospect that because there can come setbacks during a rehab period. I am always a little bit holding back on such issues.
12:21 I expect some back, but for instance Casemiro and MartÃnez, they are really strong injuries and I don't expect them back before Christmas.
12:31 Casemiro seemed like it would be several weeks. Is it looking worse than that after further assessment?
12:37 No, it is several weeks.
12:42 Copenhagen surprised a lot of ignorant football fans with their performance at Old Trafford. What are you expecting tomorrow?
12:55 They played a very decent game. I thought we didn't play a good game, but still we won. I think it was a deserving, but we have to do things better. We are aware of that because you have to lift the performance if you want to get the result.
13:16 A couple of final ones over here.
13:23 Hi Christian, last time you played against your childhood friend Rasmus Falck. How was it and how are you looking forward to that tomorrow?
13:31 It was special. I also managed to kick him, so it was the first time. But it was special to see him. I have been following him since we played together for years. It is nice to be able to play against him in Pagan. It will be fun.
13:47 The confidence is quite high in Copenhagen. I talked to some players yesterday who said they think they are the favourites against you tomorrow. What do you think of that? Do you agree?
14:00 No, it is their opinion and obviously we will have our opinion. I am sure there will be some fun games tomorrow on the pitch. In the end it is who wins. If they feel like they are the favourites, they are entitled to. I am sure we will go into the game with confidence and the aim to win as well.
14:20 Since the weekend, Marcus wrote on his Twitter that he was very unhappy about some rumours that he read. Do you see somebody in training, somebody very determined to prove people wrong, do you see that firing him to get back to the form of last season?
14:39 Marcus is very committed to Manchester United, to this team. He is investing real hard work and training to get back in his form.
14:52 Thank you very much.
14:54 Thank you.
14:56 Thank you.
14:58 Thank you.
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