Ten Hag previews Twente game

2 days ago

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Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 8:00 AM.

Erik ten Hag has expressed his opinion that every goal scored will hold great importance in the new Europa League format.

Unlike the previous arrangement, where teams were divided into groups of four, all 36 teams in this tournament will be placed in a single league. Each team will play eight matches, and their performance will determine who progresses to the knockout phase.

In a special question-and-answer session with the club’s media team, the Manchester United manager shared his insights on going up against his old team, FC Twente, as well as his strategy for maintaining the team's streak of three straight clean sheets.

Continue scrolling to see the complete details of what Ten Hag shared...

Erik’s Pre-Twente Reunion Video Q&A Session

Erik's Q&A Ahead Of Twente Reunion

Erik ten Hag shares his strong affection for Twente, discusses the revamped Europa League format, and highlights Noussair Mazraoui's impressive beginning.

Erik, this is a crucial match for Manchester United and a meaningful one for you personally: you played 234 times for FC Twente. Being there as a coach was an important step in your career. How special is this moment for you, and how excited are you to host FC Twente at Old Trafford? "We’re really looking forward to welcoming everyone from FC Twente, from the board to the staff and especially the players. The fans will bring a lot of energy with them, as football is incredibly popular in the area where I grew up. Tomorrow, Manchester will definitely feel their presence, but our focus has to be on winning. I represent Manchester United, and I also feel a strong connection to this club. Now, I need to compete against a team I once held dear."

During the press conference, I heard you mention that you remain a supporter and enjoy watching them play as a fan, which is wonderful. It really illustrates the spirit of football, doesn't it? You still cheer for that team even when they’re not facing United. "Absolutely. It's important to separate the affection I have for the area and the club I feel a connection with from my professional responsibilities. However, I need to focus on my job, and our goal is to win and progress further in this journey. As a team, we aim to get better, and I must dedicate all my energy to achieving that."

Currently, they sit in fourth place in the Eredivisie and recently achieved a 5-0 victory over their opponents. What insights do you have about FC Twente? "As for FC Twente, I could share a lot of details about them. I have a lot of respect for what they do; they've been performing excellently and have a solid approach. The current manager has done an impressive job in shaping the team. They play as a cohesive unit, with great team spirit and effective strategies in place. However, our focus is on winning. We need to execute our game plan and implement our strategies, while also figuring out the best approach to come out on top against FC Twente."

What do you think about the revamped Europa League? "We'll get our first impressions tomorrow. I watched the Champions League in this new setup last week, and it felt like every match and every goal mattered a lot. Regardless, we understand our mission. We need to secure a win tomorrow since it's our opening game in this league and we have eight more matches ahead of us. It's our first game at home, and winning is essential."

What’s the latest update on the team before the match? Are there any adjustments from the weekend? "Not really. We still have one training session left, but from what I can tell right now, the players who were part of the squad last Saturday will be ready for tomorrow, and we’ll select the team from that group."

Ten Hag's media briefing against Twente Video

Ten Hag's Press Conference Ahead Of Twente Match

PRESS CONFERENCE | Be sure to catch Erik's update ahead of the Europa League game against his old team, FC Twente...

Over the weekend, we had plenty of opportunities to secure a victory. Unfortunately, we fell short, but managing another clean sheet—our third consecutive one—demonstrates the strength of our defense right now. "I must emphasize how crucial our defending has been lately, and we need to maintain this momentum. Everyone must give their all and stick to the defensive strategies we’ve established, as that’s fundamental for winning matches. It’s true that we were all let down by the outcome against Crystal Palace. However, we can take some positives from the clean sheet and the chances we created. Now, we need to focus on becoming more decisive in front of goal."

To wrap things up, let's talk about Noussair Mazraoui. He's quite familiar with FC Twente. How impressed are you with how quickly he's adapted? "I always knew he was a talented player, but he's actually grown even more since his time in Germany. He's playing better now than when he was at Ajax. His growth both on and off the field has been remarkable. I really hope he continues to progress."

Mazraoui's press briefing against Twente Video