EVERY WORD FROM ERIK’S PRE-VILLA PRESS CONFERENCE

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has spoken to the media ahead of the Reds’ Boxing Day clash with Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

The Reds will be looking to bounce back from Saturday’s disappointing 2-0 defeat to West Ham, when we face the Villans at 20:00 GMT, on home turf.

Unai Emery’s high-flying side will no doubt provide stern opposition, however, and is a test that Erik ten Hag previewed United coming up against during his pre-match press conference.

The media briefing was held at the London Stadium in the aftermath of the weekend’s loss, and you can see it in full below.

Erik, is Anthony Martial back or is he still unwell?

“He’s still unwell.”

On his future, the indication is he won’t have his contract extended at the end of the season. Is there a possibility that he has to be sold in January?

“When we have news, then of course I will tell it. But that is not our aim.”

What’s your message to the United fans before this huge game against Villa on Boxing Day? Do you need their help?
“Firstly, I am sure they are very disappointed in us and we have to put things right. We have to do things differently and we really appreciate all the time they’re supporting us, even with the setbacks we have during this season, they’re all the time behind us and we are really appreciative of that. But of course we need any help [we can get]. But first of all, the team and I have to do it.”

You gave a starting debut to Willy Kambwala against West Ham. Can you tell us about him?

Indeed. As a result, we began the season with five center backs. We had three or four sick or injured people today. You then proceed to switch places within the squad. However, he leaves a positive impression both during Under-21 team practice and competition. We therefore chose to play him. He has, in my opinion, demonstrated his ability. His performance was excellent, in my opinion.As you can see, the future is quite promising. He still needs to improve on himself, of course, but his performance has left us feeling rather satisfied. You can see his potential.

Do you think he has the skills to become a modern-day centre-back?

”As we’ve seen in this game, I think we have we seen many skills for a modern centre-back and as I say, I’m very pleased with his performance.”

What you need to do differently against Aston Villa compared to what you did against West Ham?

”To start [we have to understand] the meaning of the first goal. When you control the game as we did today, but Villa are different side. They are in very good form and are a very good team. So we have first come to that point, but if you are creating the chances, you have to take them if you want to win the game because otherwise you don’t win games. That’s clear.”

A lot of players have been injured. You’ve got a lot of young players. For this game against Villa, do you need your experienced players, your big players, to step up?

“In every game, they have to step up and you know, you’ve said now the word, two or three times… you have to take responsibility. I have to take responsibility and the players with me have to take responsibility. But everyone and maybe in moments you expect from the seniors even more when you have young players around. But yeah, when you are good enough, then you are also old enough, So we have to do it together. It doesn’t matter what age it is, we have to put out the team who has to win the game.”

You keep saying about responsibility. Are you disappointed with the players not taking responsibility today?

“No, I’m not disappointed by the attitude. But of course we know what the standard is at Man United. We have to win as a team. And therefore, yeah, I take the word responsibility. We have to take that as a team. And every individual has to contribute 100 per cent in that responsibility.”

Of those injured and ill at the moment, are you expecting to get any back for Boxing Day?

“I think hopefully Raphael Varane will return. And for the rest, maybe Amad Diallo, we’ll see how far he is. He has trained now for two weeks. They are probably the ones who can maybe return.”

EVERY WORD FROM ERIK’S PRE-VILLA PRESS CONFERENCE

EVERY WORD FROM ERIK’S PRE-VILLA PRESS CONFERENCE

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