Erik ten Hag on Utd's Sancho problem and Brighton preview
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00:00 Hello everyone, welcome to our pre-match press conference for our game against Brighton tomorrow.
00:05 First section in Bargoad until 1.30pm.
00:08 Simon?
00:10 Simon?
00:12 Eric, could you first of all clarify whether Jadon Sancho is in the squad for tomorrow?
00:18 And also, there was a lot that's happened since you spoke to the media after the Arsenal game.
00:25 Could you just give us an indication of what's happening and why there's this issue?
00:32 We closed the game and we worked on the feedback, we gave the team feedback.
00:42 I think we played very well in Arsenal.
00:45 You could already see before the game, we trained very well, we played very well.
00:49 I think we deserved much more in Arsenal, it was not on our side.
00:55 That was definitely the outcome of our analysis.
00:59 But you see, we are progressing against a good Arsenal.
01:02 But at a minimum, we had to get a draw there.
01:07 I think we should have won there.
01:09 But we didn't.
01:10 But we take the performance and also in the last two days, when all the players came back,
01:16 we trained very well and we are ready to fight Brighton.
01:20 Very good Brighton, but we are really looking forward to it.
01:22 We have a lot of energy, but as I say, we have a good vibe, so we are ready for it.
01:27 With respect, I asked you about Jadon Sancho and his response to what you said after that game
01:33 and also the statement that came out yesterday, whether there's been a resolution to that?
01:39 I think everything is set.
01:41 So, as I said, the squad is strong, the squad is in good spirit, good mood, going to the game.
01:48 It doesn't feel as though there's a good mood when you consider the Jadon situation.
01:55 Anthony, obviously, is not available to you.
01:58 How can the squad be?
02:00 They are very good because you have sometimes setbacks in seasons,
02:06 players are injured for other reasons, they are not available.
02:11 Therefore, you construct a squad and the squad is very good.
02:16 Players who are available are very motivated to give a good performance.
02:20 Eric, can you give us an insight into who is available for this game?
02:24 Alessandro Martinez, is he okay to play?
02:26 Yes.
02:27 No issues with his injury anymore?
02:29 No.
02:30 Victor Lindelof is okay?
02:31 Yes.
02:32 Mason Mount?
02:33 No.
02:34 Rafael Varane?
02:36 No, but both are in a good place.
02:40 They are, I think, shortly before a return.
02:43 Can I ask you about Harry Maguire as well?
02:45 The England manager, Gareth Southgate, and Harry's mum actually have spoken out about
02:49 some of the abuse that Harry's received over the last few weeks, months, even years,
02:54 for Harry, the way it's been going.
02:56 How have you supported him through this situation?
02:59 You see him on a day-to-day basis here around the club.
03:01 I think, already I've said many times, he's disrespectful, he doesn't deserve it,
03:08 he's a great player, he's given great performances.
03:13 It's crazy, but it's how it works and Harry has to block this by performances.
03:20 Obviously, Harry said as well that he feels he's able to cope with the criticism,
03:25 the scrutiny, the abuse.
03:27 On a day-to-day basis, like I say, being here around him, how do you see him dealing with that?
03:32 Good, but it's unjustified.
03:34 If you see his career, it's a great career and has a lot to come.
03:40 As I said, he has to block it by good performances.
03:44 Thank you.
03:45 Hi, Erik.
03:47 How much do you feel sometimes a bit of a father figure to some of these players,
03:51 all the management you have to do around them?
03:53 It's not just what they're doing on the training pitch, is it?
03:56 No.
03:58 It's also you live with the generation, it's about team constructions, the group dynamic,
04:06 but it's always about team.
04:08 And team is ahead of anything else, but in the team, anyone plays his role
04:14 and anyone is different, has different characters.
04:17 And you have to manage those characters, but also, as I said,
04:23 the team is always above anything else.
04:26 And we know that you can have a very strict line sometimes.
04:31 Do you stick to that with these players, or have you been able to give a bit more
04:35 leeway to some than others?
04:37 Yeah, but strict line, that is the point.
04:41 But the club asked me, because there was no good culture before I entered last season,
04:49 to set some standards, and that's what I did.
04:52 Then it's my job to control the standards.
04:55 And of course, it's never been as well that someone makes one mistake.
05:02 No, it's a whole process before you come to a certain outcome about strict lines.
05:12 But if staff, players, or whatever, if there's a structure to cross lines,
05:23 you have to be strong, absolutely.
05:26 And you mentioned there about culture and how the club's changed since you arrived.
05:29 Of course, Brighton was your first Premier League game.
05:31 Where do you see this team now against Brighton again,
05:33 compared to when you first started?
05:35 Oh, I love to play them, because it's typical.
05:40 And we had two great games in spring against them.
05:45 You saw it was really head-to-head.
05:46 We know we have to play tomorrow to our best,
05:50 because they will let you sacrifice and suffer,
05:54 but also it gives you a lot of options.
05:56 So I'm really looking forward to going into that fight.
05:59 Do you have an idea how long Anthony may be away from the club?
06:07 No idea.
06:08 Have you spoken to him over the last few days? Is he okay?
06:12 Of course, he's disappointed, but he is okay.