Ten Hag on Utd injury latest ahead of Community Shield season opener against neighbours City

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Ten Hag on Utd injury latest ahead of Community Shield season opener against neighbours City  08/08/2024  Carrington training centre, Manchester, UK

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00:00Eric, could you just update us on injuries within your squad ahead of this game?

00:07Harry Maguire missed the game against Liverpool,

00:10I just wondered how he was and how everybody else is.

00:13Harry Maguire missed the game, yeah, it was precaution,

00:17but it's still a question mark for Saturday.

00:20So, we have training, we have to see whether he's fit enough or not to be available.

00:29What about Victor?

00:31Victor, yeah, he played, but also he's a question mark,

00:37and also Assa and Luke Shaw, they are also both question marks,

00:42we have to assess them tomorrow.

00:44Just in terms of the players who didn't go to the USA,

00:48who played in the Euros and Copa America,

00:52how easy will it be for them to play in a game at Wembley on Saturday?

00:59That is individual-based, it's a different background.

01:06We all put them on off-season programmes,

01:09but they are all different stats as well,

01:13in the pre-season, in the weeks we were in the USA.

01:18So, from individual to individual, we will assess them and make a decision

01:24whether they start or they come from the bench, or they don't play.

01:29Sorry, I was just thinking that if there are doubts over Harry and Victor,

01:34is Martínez able to play central defence, or would you have to look at another option?

01:41No, we think about Milica, to be involved in the game.

01:46Can I just ask you one question about a player who was on the trip,

01:50Mason Mount, who had a very difficult time last season?

01:55He did well in the USA, what are you expecting from him this season?

02:02We know he is a high-class player, just bringing his skills in.

02:12Last season he had a very bad season, a very tough season for him,

02:17because of all his injuries, so we are now very pleased.

02:21He has had a very good pre-season,

02:24and I'm sure he will now, from this point on, continue to the team.

02:29Stay fit, but it counts for every player.

02:33Eric, you've said you're eager to do business,

02:38have you got any update in terms of how close you might be to bringing a new face?

02:43When we have news, we will announce it.

02:48But you see in the market, it is quite quiet still.

02:55But we have done our business, we have done two deals.

03:00But, yeah, it's about timings, and it's about the market options,

03:08and it's about, in the right moment, doing the right things.

03:11In the last few days, particularly, you've been heavily linked with a centre in the field,

03:15have you been able to identify the player you want to try and recruit in an ideal world?

03:21I don't go into details where we are now in recruitment,

03:26but where we are working on, of course.

03:30We know what we're doing, I think we are in a good position with the squad,

03:37and for you, just wait, be patient, and in the right moment we will tell you.

03:46Do you have to sell before you can buy? Is that part of the patience required?

03:50No, we did already, we bought already.

03:54And as I said, we have a squad, where in every position there is a double occupation.

04:03And just finally on Jadon Sancho, he's played centrally for you in the last couple of games,

04:08in pre-season, do you expect him, or are you going to challenge him to play centrally for you

04:14while we're waiting for Rasmus to get fit?

04:16No, but you know it.

04:18Jadon, I think he can play across the whole front line,

04:23so he can use an option for more than one position,

04:28and it depends on how you set up the team.

04:32You can look at your own tactics, game model, but also to opponents, what fits the best.

04:40So what is necessary for a game, and Jadon, he has some abilities,

04:47and you can use them in a game, and you can use your tactics in the next game.

04:54OK, last question in this section.

04:56Good afternoon.

04:58Given the injuries and the various fitness levels of the players,

05:02where does Saturday's game fit in your list of priorities,

05:06given it's against one of your big rivals?

05:10We always want to win, also in all the friendlies, and it's about the trophy.

05:22So we will put out a team that is very competitive to win this trophy,

05:28but it's also pre-season, and we don't go into big risks with players.

05:36That's also a normal approach into this game.

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