Erik ten Hag and Christian Eriksen gave their thoughts ahead of Man Utd's game against Fenerbahce in match 3 of the Europa League in what was a pretty late pretty conference.
United are in desperate need of the 3 points after two draws in two matches in Europe. This is where the manager feels that United need to show some confidence as despite seeing signs of improvement following his side's 1-1 draw against FC Twente on opening night, "when you draw or lose, the confidence is down a bit."
Erik ten Hag sees the Europa League as a big target stating that since Jose Mourinho left, United hadn't won any European trophy. It is a big target of the club's to win the tournament but that "we know what we have to do" after a pretty poor start to the competition.
He mentions once more that he and his team are "confident" of being able to compete in the league and in Europe.
ten Hag talks about how injuries aren't a concern and that it's something "we have to deal with." After United's victory over Brentford last Saturday - which was the club's first win in five matches - the Dutchman feels that they made a step in the right direction but it's now about following up that performance and result.
He also mentions how players prefer to play games over training and that playing matches is the best way for players to be fit and ready. "As long as you have players available enough, so you can construct a team and that you don’t have to go into a big injury risk."
The MUFC boss feels that his side are "still okay" in terms of available players. United will be without a whole host of players with Mainoo, Maguire, Evans and more out with injuries. He will also be missing captain Bruno Fernandes through suspension leaving him with just three midfielders for the match: Casemiro, Ugarte and Eriksen.
Speaking of the Dane, the number 14 spoke about his future and how it's not up to him. The club have to make that call on his contract which expires at the end of the season. He is still very open to staying at the club as he says "when the summer comes if the offer is there I will definitely take it seriously."
Eriksen also talked about confidence much like his manager as he said that after the Twente draw, the confidence was low because it felt like a defeat. Post that game, the midfielder also mentioned how it was unacceptable for United to not show the same desire as our Dutch opponents. He now feels that things have improved and that the "group is getting together" and that "we've played some good games since."
With the lack of numbers in midfield, the Dane says that it doesn't really matter where he plays. "6,8, 10? The system doesn't matter to me."
Final Thoughts
We know that one of our biggest issues is confidence. It's very easy for us to lose confidence at any given point and why we find ourselves in silly situations in matches and throughout the season.
I don't think we've ever displayed a period where we've gone through a run of games in which our confidence was clear to see. Even when winning games, one thing goes against us and that's it. Porto last time out was a good example.
The converse to that is also true in that we gain confidence very quickly. One thing goes for us and we are a different team. The win over Brentford is one such match. However, we cannot be going up and down like that all the time. Consistency is key.
I know the manager has to be positive regarding the injuries but let's be real, he isn't happy that so many of his players are missing again.
We still have no left-backs, a centre-back in Maguire is out, another in Evans didn't travel and he's only got three midfielders. He will be quite frustrated at that.
A lot of players have also complained about there being too many games nowadays and that something needs to be done about the congested schedule. Whilst no United player has come out and said this, it is a problem (I think) all the same. I believe that it is part of the reason as to why we're seeing so many injuries.
This is the reason as to why I disagree that we can compete on all fronts and even in the league and EL. Should we continue to pick up injuries like we are (which I think we will) there's no chance that we could keep up. At some point we will have to make a choice between the PL and EL. Champions League football is all that matters next season and we need to qualify one way or another.
As for Eriksen, I had my say on his future here.
I don't actually agree with him that we've had some good performances post that Twente draw. We've had one yes but that was Saturday's win. The rest were all meh and we really should've won in Portugal after having been 2-0 up.
We just need to win tomorrow some way or another.
Background Image: Erik ten Hag after Man Utd's 1-1 draw with FC Twente | Creator: Michael Regan | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2024 Getty Images via Goal