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Every word from Erik ten Hag ahead of Manchester United’s FA Cup clash vs Everton

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Credit: Man Utd

Manchester United host Everton in the third round of the FA Cup on Friday evening, Erik ten Hag spoke to the media ahead of the game.

The United manager will be looking to lead his team to their seventh win in a row on the night and progress to the next round of the cup competition.

Ten Hag was asked about a number of different topics ahead of the game, every word can be read below.

Looking forward to your first FA Cup fixture? “For me, the cup is always special. I know in England the FA Cup is even more [special]. Higher expectations, higher standards, as in the Netherlands. It’s a different cup and in not so many games, you can achieve a lot. Also, you have to come away a winner – this is possible when you draw and there is replay, but, after two, it’s a knockout, so I like that.”

An update on Jack Butland? “Yes. So Martin [Dubravka] was recalled, and in our set-up, we need a squad with three experienced goalkeepers. We have some young ones and they do well, but we have so many games so you need three good goalies in training but also when there are problems, you need experience in the goal to catch your goals that you are aiming for.”

What does he bring? “Well what he brings – and I’m really happy with David [De Gea], it’s quite clear he is our no.1 and he is performing really good – but something could happen with David as well and you have to prepared for that and not [end up] in such a moment where you only have one experienced goalkeeper, when you are unlucky. Last year, I had a situation with Ajax – we have three goalies injured. And you don’t want to come in a situation where you have have to, at the end of the season, hopefully you play for trophies, put in a young keeper. You can’t expect it from the young goalkeeper but also you kill your season so that’s what you have to be prepared for.”

Will he be no.2 or no.3? “I never work like that. We have now three goalkeepers who are all experienced. Okay they can be 1, 2 and 3 but it is quite clear that David at this moment, who has been a long time at Manchester United, is the clear number 1. But I think Tom, he was many times on the bench. He had bad luck when he was injured for the Carabao Cup, the first one against Aston Villa. Then Martin [Dubravka] was keeping and he did very well. Now the situation with [Jack] Butland coming in, I have to see his performance in training. But the Carabao Cup is coming quick and then we will make a choice. Tom is of course more adapted to our way of play and has more connection to the dressing room, to the team, but still I have a decision to make on Tuesday and also first tomorrow. But for me there is no issue.”

Where can Marcus Rashford improve? “First of all, keep the focus. Always, it doesn’t matter if you are in the game or if you are not in the game, keep focusing on scoring a goal. I think a player like Marcus, but also like others in our squad like Anthony Martial is the same, when they stay in the game mentally, focus 100 per cent, concentrated, they have the skills and need only one moment to change the game in a positive way. So if he develops that skill, I think he will score more goals and [have] even more contributions to a successful season.”

So is that what he’s missing? The fact he drifts out of games? “I was really happy with his goal, 3-0, against Bournemouth, so he stayed in the game, he scored in the game. Still he was focused and in the right moment, in the right spot, he was there to make his goal in that game. I said to him from the first moment, you will create chances or the team will create chances for you when you are in the right moment and the right spot. It will come every game but it can be the first minute and it can also be the 95th minute so make sure you are there and then you have the skills to finish. With his right, with his left, with his head, it doesn’t matter what.”

Are United currently where you thought they’d be? “I don’t know but let’s say this, I think we are in a good position. We are there where we want to be but still, we go from game to game. We play in many [competitions] so we focus from game to game and don’t think too far ahead.”

Is winning the Premier League this season an ambition? “As I said, we have to go from game to game and still think about and work on that progress, the process. It’s all about that. As a team, first state, and then also as an individual because when the team is performing, also individuals are getting better.”

How would it feel to win a trophy this season? “I don’t think about that. At this stage of the season, that is not where you are looking at. You have to look at getting into a position where you can win something because there are so many games to play and I know the season is long, especially with a lot of the games still ahead. I don’t get distracted. When you think too far ahead, you get distracted. Don’t do it, focus on the game. Focus on your progress. Focus on your team performance. Focus on the team development. It’s all about that. There are many elements in our game that we have to improve, so think about that, concentrate on that and work together to get it better.”

Do you need to strengthen in January? “We always have to look for that as we push the players, because good is not good enough. Also in our organisation, we have to push each other and when there are opportunities, you always have to be ready for that. But my main focus is to get a better team, to improve the team.”

Do you know the severity of Donny van de Beek’s injury? “Not yet. We are still doing investigations at the moment. It’s a knee injury and at the moment we have it [the information] clear, we will bring it [to you].”

Is Anthony Martial available against Everton? “Yes, he’s fit and available.”

How much can United improve this season? “Well, I think in a lot of aspects, there is space for improvement. It’s about, in a lot of aspects you can get improvement, your process is better, your way of play is better and when that is better, your opportunity in games is higher. That is what we have to work for.”

Is there pressure for Jadon Sancho to return due to a lack of options? “I would like to have Jadon back as soon as possible. But also in this, I can’t force this process. So I will do everything that’s in my power but some processes you can’t force and this is one of them so I also have to show patience although I don’t have the patience because yeah, you are right, we have a lack of opportunities in the front line. Players who are available and are capable to contribute in the Premier League. Not only the Premier League but also the highest standard of football and Jadon is one who, when he is fit, he will contribute and then we have an extra option so we have more chance to win a lot of games.”

What issues is he currently facing? “We have some hurdles to take but I think he is [going] in a good direction. I can’t force this process so I will be really happy in the moment he is returning in the squad for team training – that will be the next step.”

He’s not injured? Just not fit? “In this moment he is not fit enough, no.”

You mentioned in the past it’s a mental problem. “I said physical – and a bit of physical is also in connection with mental, but I think he is now making progress on the physical part and that will help him. I hope he can return quickly but I can’t say a duration of how long it will be.”

How can a £75 million football player become unfit? “I think any top athletes, in football but also in any sports, sometimes it is good to go away from the place where you are at daily to get a new vibe, to get experience. People have a different approach and can give you the right push to get back on track.”

How did you allow him to become unfit? “Football players are not robots. No one is the same and for everyone you need a different approach and we thought, in co-operation with Jadon, it was the best choice.”

How important is winning the first trophy at United? “We have a lot of opportunities to win a trophy, we are still in many competitions and winning a trophy is something great. Every trophy to win is great. It will give you an experience that can help you win more titles and more trophies, and maybe also bigger trophies. That is definitely true. First, you have to go over that limit to get that experience – it’s always the same, the same players always winning trophies and that is not a coincidence because that has to do with his capabilities and often with mentality.”

Are you confident of winning trophies with this squad? “I think we have some players in this team who have that experience and who can help us.”

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