Every word: Part two of Erik’s press conference

Erik ten Hag’s mantra was clear and consistent throughout the second part of his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon – achieving Champions League qualification is the sole focus for Manchester United at the moment.

While the reporters present at Carrington’s Jimmy Murphy Centre were keen to look beyond the remaining Premier League games and probe him on the futures of several players, as well as the not inconsiderable matter of an all-Manchester FA Cup final, the boss was sticking to his guns and the agenda of acquiring three points at Bournemouth tomorrow.

Here’s a transcript of everything Erik said in the second section of his media briefing…

Erik, with Marcus and his contract, do you know why it’s taking so long to get him to renew?
“Yes, I know, but I don’t talk about process. So let the process, let it go. Once again, this moment for me is not important. Also, for Rashy, not important. For him it is [important] to be getting more goals in this season. He is playing a wonderful season. The team is playing a wonderful season. Now, we have to get in the Champions League. We have to focus on that.”

And just another question on the injury issue. Dean Henderson will be coming back in the summer. Do you see his future at United next season, given the length of time it will take for him to recover?
“I think it’s the same answer. This moment is not my focus point; recruitment, scouting transfers. I put all the energy in the game and the games coming up. This is a massive week and then another massive week. So, [we have to] focus on that, because we are in the final [weeks] of the season.”

You just said that your immediate focus is Bournemouth, but you did also say you’re speaking to John Murtough, to Richard Arnold, about transfers. And also last week you said that players still want to come to Manchester United, that it’s an attractive option for them. How much of a concern is it that the longer the uncertainty over the takeover goes on, that you may miss out on those targets? Because obviously other clubs are going to be in for the same players that you are and they’ll be competition. So, is that a concern for you, that you may miss out on targets if the future of the club isn’t sorted soon?
“Of course, we do our job in the background. But to talk about [it] or [if] we can be concrete and we can present something, we would do it immediately. But in the background, we are working hard. But for now, it’s about games, getting into the Champions League, and then we have an FA Cup [final].”

But you must hope, from your perspective, from your position, trying to get players that you want, that the situation with the ownership of the club in the future is resolved as quickly as possible. Is that fair enough to say?
“I don’t know. For me it’s about, yeah, finance. That there is the money available to do the right things. But first of all, we have to be in the Champions League and be in the top four. That is our focus.”

The focus obviously, for Marcus, is being fit and scoring goals, like you say. Is there a risk for the club, though, that one of the best players in this season, in the whole Premier League, would enter the final year of his contract? Is that always a risk for a club?
“Marcus wants to stay. We want him to stay. So, I think we will find each other.”

You gave Jadon Sancho some time off, for mental/physical reasons. Is he still struggling, do you think? Because we’re yet to see that player that the club bought from Dortmund?
“But I think he’s improving. If you see his performances, he had some good performances against Wolves, against Spurs. Yeah, he’s doing well. So, in this moment, he has a good base, and now he has to keep improving.”

Just on the away form, I’m sure that you prepare in the same way for home games as you do for away games, but results have been a lot easier to come by at Old Trafford than they have been away from home. Do you know why that is, especially with the group of players who are used to playing in hostile atmospheres and in big games?
“Well, yeah, I have an idea. But of course, we have one opportunity, that’s tomorrow, to show we can improve. But yeah, we definitely have to improve next season.”

Is there one specific reason though, that you think is the reason why results away from home have been hard to come by?
“There are some, I think there are some reasons, yeah. For instance, I think one thing has to be clear, from the back, we have to be better on the ball.”

Hi, Erik. Obviously, your focus is on the game tomorrow, but we can’t ignore the fact you’ve got an FA Cup final coming up and that’s gathered even more importance this week with Man City getting to the European Cup final, everyone knows now what that might mean. Do you relish the fact, do you kind of enjoy the fact, that you have that chance to stop them from completing a possible Treble?
“When we have [played] these three games, when it’s gone? Yeah, I will enjoy it. But before that, it’s not important. Not important at all. I have, and I think we have, [to] keep doing what we do all season. Improve every day. Improve every game. So just don’t look too far ahead and focus on the next game, that’s the most important.”

But all the talk this week has been how good they are, and how brilliant they were on Wednesday night. Can they be stopped, just for now? Do you think that you can stop them?
“I will give that [answer] next week; I will give you that answer.”

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