Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has been speaking to the media before Thursday’s Europa League game at Fenerbahce (kick-off 20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Mason Mount’s recovery from injury is taking “a little bit longer than expected” but Ten Hag is expecting the midfielder back “soon”.
On facing an intense atmosphere in the stadium: “We have enough players in the team. They are so experienced in facing these situations more often. We are looking forward to it. It will be a great ambience and fuel for the team; a challenge and motivation that will be good for us.”
Ten Hag said winning the Europa League is a “target what we want to achieve and we have a big opportunity this season”. He added that he and his players “know what we have to do and we have to win games.”
On Jose Mourinho’s comments when leaving United about the club not being seen as elite in Europe: “This season, we just started – we have two draws. First season, we won a lot of European games. Last season was, domestically and in Europe, a more difficult journey. But we are confident we are capable of doing this – winning games in the Premier League and in Europe.”
On facing the former United boss: “Mourinho and I, we won a lot of trophies. But you have to prove yourself every year and if we don’t we are always under criticism. Professional football is about winning games and when you don’t then you know criticism is coming. In the end, we know that it is about how you are at the end of the year. Mourinho is so experienced – he will lead [his team] to best form and be successful.”
Ten Hag said Fenerbahce are a “very good team” that United will not “underestimate or overestimate”, adding: “We will play our own game. We are looking forward and always look forward against good teams because we are professional footballers and enjoy these challenges.”
On how they attack this competition while missing players: “It is complicated. It is never easy, but we will deal with it. We have to play many games in a short time and will do the best possible. As long as you have players available enough, then you can construct a team without injury risk and you can play games. At the moment it is OK, but hopefully we don’t have many more injuries because then we will be short.”
