- 3 years ago
Erik ten Hag previews Man United v Arsenal preseason and Onana signing
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00:00 Good to see you all.
00:02 Thanks.
00:03 Come on, hurry up.
00:05 [LAUGHTER]
00:06 [INAUDIBLE]
00:07 [INAUDIBLE]
00:10 He's here.
00:11 OK, I think we have our friend, Mr. Buliari.
00:16 Yeah.
00:18 OK, so we have a special guest here.
00:23 So Miller Buliari is the head coach here since 1960.
00:31 And I believe-- would you like to come up, Miller?
00:35 Oh.
00:36 Yeah, come up, Miller.
00:37 Or we can go down.
00:39 Yeah, come on.
00:40 Yeah.
00:41 [INAUDIBLE]
00:46 So we believe that you are the not the winningest coach in US
00:51 high school soccer.
00:52 Is that correct?
00:53 No, no, no.
00:54 The oldest coach, I think, in US soccer.
00:57 Over 900 victories in his career.
01:01 And we want to thank you for hosting us here.
01:04 And the manager has a--
01:06 Oh, this is great.
01:07 Right here, the picture.
01:08 [INAUDIBLE]
01:10 Sorry, guys.
01:11 [INAUDIBLE]
01:14 [INAUDIBLE]
01:17 Thank you.
01:18 [INAUDIBLE]
01:19 [INAUDIBLE]
01:25 Thank you to Pingree School for hosting us.
01:27 [APPLAUSE]
01:34 OK, so this is our pre-match press conference
01:36 for our game at the MetLife Stadium
01:38 tomorrow night against Arsenal.
01:41 And we'll start with Samuel Lucas, the music.
01:46 [INAUDIBLE]
01:58 Yeah, we do.
02:01 Across Man United, so with a lot of people,
02:04 we do everything what's in our power to get the right man in.
02:10 [INAUDIBLE]
02:13 Yeah, transfer mark, you never know, but we know our targets.
02:17 And we do everything we can, as I said.
02:20 So every effort we put in to get this done,
02:24 because it's an area where we need improvement.
02:28 And just with the captain, so when did you decide that Bruno
02:32 was becoming the official captain of the club?
02:36 In the summer.
02:39 And when did you communicate to that?
02:41 Sorry.
02:42 When you communicated that to Harry,
02:44 and then Harry put that statement out,
02:46 were you aware that Harry was going to put that statement out?
02:49 And how did he take the news that you were not
02:52 making him captain anymore?
02:53 I think everyone can understand that it is for a player
02:59 a disappointment.
03:01 But it can also work out very good for the team and for Harry.
03:07 So Harry is an important player, stays an important player.
03:11 We are four centre-backs.
03:13 We need four centre-backs minimum, maybe even one extra.
03:17 We have seen last season when you play so many games.
03:20 And so we are really pleased to have Harry in our squad.
03:24 Neil.
03:26 Eric, if you don't get players out,
03:28 it's going to be difficult to have the funds to get that striker in
03:31 that you need, isn't it?
03:33 I mean, that must be key for you, and the clock's ticking down.
03:38 Yeah, you have to talk.
03:41 You make the question to the wrong person.
03:43 Finance is not for me.
03:47 I know I'm aware about finance and about FFP rules, et cetera.
03:51 But we do, as I said, across United,
03:57 we do everything to get the target in.
04:01 Andy.
04:06 Hello, Eric.
04:07 Just on Bruno becoming manager, why did you...
04:11 ...take in your job?
04:15 I've been replaced.
04:17 Just thinking two years ahead.
04:20 On Bruno becoming captain?
04:22 All right, I'll give you three.
04:26 What was your thought process?
04:28 Was there anybody else in contention?
04:32 What was your logic in Bruno?
04:35 I think across our squad, we have more leaders.
04:39 So for me, it's always you need a team, a squad, you need leaders,
04:45 you need team players, you need specialists,
04:48 you need multifunctional players, and you need individualists.
04:51 So in all those areas, you have to cover in your squad.
04:55 And yeah, I'm happy we have more than one leader.
04:58 And so Bruno will wear the band,
05:01 but he will get support from others.
05:05 Chris, just at the front here with the microphone, please.
05:09 Hi, Eric.
05:14 When we first spoke to you last year, when you first came into the club,
05:18 you were very careful to say top four was the target for you.
05:22 You hit that target last season.
05:24 Is that still your target now?
05:26 Or given what you've achieved so far, can you aim higher next season?
05:30 Do you think?
05:32 We have to raise the bar.
05:35 But you can first, by raising the bar,
05:38 you cannot always express that in the clinical result.
05:44 But of course, we want to win every game, and that stays.
05:48 And we have shown in last season how we can beat all the teams in the world.
05:55 And now we have to do that on a consistent base.
05:59 So that is absolutely one of our objectives,
06:03 be more consistent, and then we will see where we end.
06:07 But given what you have and given what you've built,
06:10 and given the two players you've signed so far,
06:12 and hopefully more players to come,
06:14 do you think Manchester United can challenge for the title next season?
06:18 I already gave you an answer to the previous question.
06:24 So I said we want to be more consistent,
06:26 and so we want to play at a higher level.
06:28 We want to raise the bar, lift up the demands,
06:32 and then we will see where we end.
06:35 The competition, we know, is very strong,
06:38 but we can beat any club in the world.
06:41 We have shown.
06:43 Rob.
06:44 Hi, Erik.
06:45 Just on your decision to let David leave and bring in Andre Onana,
06:48 was there a point at which last season you looked at the goalkeeping situation
06:52 and thought, "I can't continue with David,
06:54 and we need to change goalkeeper in the summer"?
06:57 I think David has a huge contribution on our level of performance last year
07:04 and our result.
07:06 I want to mention all the clean sheets he made,
07:11 but there's also always a team performance,
07:15 because we defend with 11, not with only the goalkeeper.
07:18 But it was absolutely obvious that David had played a big role,
07:24 had a huge contribution in that.
07:26 But there is coming a time for every player that the club is going to make changes,
07:35 and this was the right moment in our perspective.
07:39 Was there any regret at all after 12 years that David didn't get his big farewell,
07:44 possibly, at Old Trafford with a lap of honour and stuff,
07:46 and it was done a bit quieter after the season had finished?
07:50 Yeah, but he made that big contribution.
07:53 He deserved it, if it's up to me.
07:55 And then David, after 45 games, after all his contributions,
08:05 after all his performances, after such a long period,
08:08 it's massive what he did.
08:10 He is, for the rest of his life, a legend for Manchester United.
08:14 So we have to say farewell against him,
08:17 and with all the fans in Old Trafford, absolutely.
08:21 Melissa?
08:23 Eric, you've spoken before of Manchester United needing to be more aggressive
08:28 in their play and also having greater protection.
08:31 How does Mason Mount and Andre Ananda help you guys achieve that?
08:36 I think, first, they are great football players, of course.
08:42 That's key.
08:45 But also, they are great personalities.
08:48 They know exactly what they want.
08:50 They have both a winning attitude, and they can't lose.
08:55 So they will give their 100% effort to get that done,
09:00 and both are also really in the team.
09:04 Let's take some from U.S. media.
09:06 One there and then one here.
09:10 Thank you.
09:11 My name is Derek Owusu, representing Kizito Sports Africa.
09:16 Coach, you made mention of an era coming to an end last season,
09:21 and the city won't travel.
09:23 Do you still stand by that era coming to an end?
09:27 May I know the deputies for Bruno Fernandes?
09:30 Who are the deputies to Bruno Fernandes?
09:32 Thank you.
09:35 I don't understand really the question.
09:37 Okay.
09:38 Deputy to Bruno Fernandes.
09:42 If there is a deputy, we will see.
09:46 I already expressed there are more leaders in this squad.
09:52 We go in a natural way, and then we will decide.
09:57 As I said, Bruno will not do it on his own.
10:01 We have strong characters in our team with strong opinions.
10:05 They will support him, but also express,
10:08 and we will see who will take the role.
10:11 As I asked earlier, last season you made mention of an era coming to an end.
10:16 Talking about the dominance of City and other clubs,
10:20 do you still stand by that era is coming to an end?
10:24 Is it this season, or should we wait for another more season?
10:28 I didn't say in particular.
10:30 City, I said it across.
10:32 It was Liverpool, it was City.
10:34 We have seen what can happen last season.
10:37 Both sides, one was really top, one was less.
10:40 I spoke over a certain period of years.
10:45 Eras will always come to an end.
10:48 Okay.
10:49 Lastly, I'm sorry.
10:50 Onana is from Cameroon, and I'm from Ghana, so we are all neighbors.
10:54 Africa is really proud of Andre Onana.
10:57 What quality exactly is he going to bring on board to your team?
11:02 He's a great personality.
11:06 First of all, he is a good goalkeeper.
11:09 He has to make sure that he keeps his goal clean.
11:14 Togetherness with the whole team, because a big part of a keeper is organizing.
11:20 Hi, Erik.
11:23 Vincienne with Boardroom.
11:25 Looking ahead to these next two weeks, you obviously have very competitive squads
11:30 and, of course, an upcoming match with Wrexham.
11:32 But short of just winning and avoiding injuries,
11:35 how else will you measure a successful string of matches?
11:40 Are you treating them as they are, in fact, league matches
11:44 or any other competitive games where you understand that if you lose,
11:49 you'll have to answer some questions?
11:52 The last one?
11:53 How seriously are you treating these next four matches to the point where
11:57 if you do lose, you'll have to answer any serious questions about the team?
12:01 We don't play friendly games, so it's very serious.
12:07 This is the only period in a year we can train, so we have to take this opportunity.
12:15 We have on purpose, we choose good opponents.
12:20 We already had two. Leeds is always a rival.
12:24 Lyon, a very strong team from French football.
12:28 Now we play here, a really strong team with Arsenal, Real Madrid and Dortmund.
12:32 Also teams across Europe, but also a Premier League team.
12:36 So it's very good to compete with them because then we can test ourselves
12:42 and we know after such games where we are.
12:44 But also, because you get tested, you can work very good on your way of play.
12:51 That is the main objective from the pre-season, to get the way of playing,
12:55 because we want to raise the bar.
12:57 Thank you.
12:58 Hi, Erik. Earlier on you said that when you spoke to Maguire,
13:05 you said this could work out better for him.
13:07 In what way could it work out better for him?
13:11 Because not any more captaincy, so less responsibility in that perspective.
13:16 But we need more than 11 players.
13:25 We need their competition so he can fight himself in the team.
13:31 He can be one of the 11. He has the potential.
13:34 I said it more often, so it's up to him to get his position.
13:38 Now he can focus more on his role.
13:42 But as a centre-back, at this stage you have to communicate
13:46 and you have to organise, because that is one of the big areas
13:52 where you have to perform as a centre-half.
13:55 Same as a keeper, organising, that is prevention.
14:00 Prevention that you have to come into action.
14:04 I realise you won't say what you said to him,
14:08 but what was the general conversation?
14:11 Was it, 'If you want to stay, you can, but I understand you might want to go somewhere else.'
14:15 Or did you say, 'I really want you to stay, you can play a big role here.'
14:20 No, it's about captaincy.
14:24 Of course, I said to him, 'You are one of four, fight yourself in the team.'
14:31 Hi Eric, just on the striker front again,
14:37 obviously Wout Begos has gone back to Burnley,
14:39 you've got the injury concerns with Anthony Martial.
14:42 If we did get another forward in, are you still concerned
14:46 that you may be still short going into the season
14:48 with the Champions League, Premier League,
14:50 and wanting to compete and close that gap on the likes of Man City and Arsenal?
14:55 Yes, but we proved last season we can be very successful,
15:00 even though we didn't have too many strikers.
15:07 We still proved we were successful,
15:10 so I expect from the front players more to play on a higher level.
15:15 We have to raise the bar, so we expect from all the players more.
15:20 So from the front players, but also across the whole team,
15:25 we expect more goals.
15:27 Hi Eric, Andre Inane was sent home from the World Cup,
15:36 and when you were his coach at Ajax, his time there ended, let's say, sourly.
15:42 The way he plays is very brave, but does he represent a gamble as a signing
15:47 due to his individual personality?
15:50 He is a personality, yes, but he is absolutely a winner.
15:58 I have always worked very well with him,
16:02 and we achieved together so many trophies,
16:06 and he played great football, so I am convinced he will do that.
16:12 But this is a challenge for him, because this is a better club,
16:17 better competition, demands are higher,
16:22 expectations are higher,
16:26 much more fans, fanboys all across the world.
16:30 So that's a challenge, and therefore I wanted him,
16:34 because of his character, he wants to have the challenge,
16:39 then he is at his best.
16:41 Just following on from what you say,
16:43 Manchester United can be a little bit of a graveyard for goalkeepers.
16:46 There have been some goalkeepers, big ones, who have come to the club
16:49 and they haven't been able to handle everything you just described,
16:52 but you are confident that he will add something to your team in this regard?
16:56 As I said, he likes the challenge, he will race to the occasion.
17:02 Eric, we hear regularly that United will always be in for the best players,
17:07 and you have been very clear that you need a top striker.
17:11 Why is the club not doing everything possible to try and get Harry Kane in,
17:16 given he is in the final year of his contract at Tottenham,
17:19 and if he is going to leave, there is a chance this summer?
17:23 I don't go into a talk about specific players
17:29 over players who are under contract in another club.
17:33 How are you doing, Eric?
17:39 I'm fine.
17:40 Welcome to the US.
17:42 You brought in Mason Mount.
17:44 Just talk about how he kind of complements other midfielders
17:47 like Bruno and Casemiro.
17:49 He is very dynamic and a lot of game understanding.
17:55 In and out of possession, I'm convinced he is really at quality
18:02 to our midfield department.
18:04 He will give us more chance to win games and, in the end, win trophies,
18:10 because he knows how to win trophies, and he will bring that to our squad.
18:16 Hi, Eric. I hope you're doing well.
18:22 Just a quick question on Kobe Maynard.
18:24 Obviously, we saw the video of you after the final,
18:27 speaking with him privately on the pitch.
18:30 He's been involved again in pre-season.
18:32 What are your plans for him?
18:33 Do you think he can have an impact on the first team?
18:36 What's he like in training?
18:38 We have to see in pre-season.
18:42 He gets his chance because he deserved it,
18:45 because he showed it in the U21s and in our trainings.
18:50 He showed a high level, and now he has to show it in games.
18:56 So pre-season is perfect to test it.
18:59 It's an option to get into the squad, the game squad,
19:06 and even get into playtime.
19:09 We will see, but I'm confident he can do it.
19:13 But we have to wait and we have to test it if it's going to happen.
19:19 Hi, Eric. On Andre Onana,
19:22 his playing style is obviously a big contrast to how David would play.
19:26 How long do you think it will take the players that are here
19:30 to adapt to how Andre plays and vice versa?
19:33 And with the different demands in this league,
19:35 versus the Eredivisie, versus Serie A,
19:37 are there any changes that Andre needs to make to his game to adapt?
19:41 Or are you expecting him to play exactly how he always does?
19:44 Yes, I expect him to do exactly that.
19:47 I think Andre is a goalkeeper.
19:50 He can play behind a high block, but also behind a very low block.
19:55 But of course, and therefore it's so good he's already now in.
20:01 The cooperation is so essential.
20:03 So you need the players in the pre-season,
20:07 then we can work on that.
20:09 But I'm convinced that he will adapt.
20:13 And the players, they will quickly also be aware
20:20 and will take advantage of his qualities.
20:23 You already have seen with a different player,
20:26 but like Mate, he did very well in our game.
20:29 So you see our players have very quick adapt to that situation
20:34 and take benefit from it.
20:36 Last question.
20:38 Sorry, I just wanted to ask, Eric, the plan for Rashford.
20:42 We saw him play centrally, we've seen him play on the left-hand side.
20:45 Do you have a desired position for him going into next season?
20:48 Will you be seeing him up front with Gnacio playing on the left?
20:51 Yes, there are both positions.
20:53 It depends on so many circumstances where we will play him.
20:58 But he can play both positions very good.
21:01 And in both positions, he can be really efficient.
21:05 Hi, Eric.
21:08 Have you been involved with discussions this summer
21:10 over Mason Greenwood's future?
21:12 How do you see that panning out?
21:14 And have you been keeping in touch with Mason over the last few months
21:17 while he's been away from the club?
21:19 Yes, it's a club decision.
21:21 And of course I've shared my ideas, opinions,
21:24 but it's a club decision and we all have to accept that.
21:28 Would you like to keep him?
21:30 He's obviously a very talented young footballer.
21:34 I can't say so much about it,
21:37 but I shared my opinion about it.
21:40 So let's see what's going to happen, what the decision will be.
21:45 And just one quick one, one more for me.
21:48 Do you plan on speaking to the owners while you're over in America?
21:51 And are you looking for clarity on what the takeover situation might be?
21:54 It's obviously been eight months now with the club on the market
21:57 and it doesn't really seem to be moving.
21:59 Do you plan on trying to see the Glazer family while you're over here
22:02 and get an update on what's going on?
22:04 But it's also a club decision.
22:06 I'm more often in contact with them.
22:09 So, yeah, this is a good opportunity also to share our ideas.
22:14 We can talk informally.
22:17 But, yeah, it's obvious.
22:20 I can give advice and recommendations,
22:22 but the decision is on the club.
22:25 OK, thank you very much.
22:27 [Gavel]
22:30 (chewing)
22:32 [BLANK_AUDIO]
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