Man Utd

The 16:30 BST kick-off pits the Dutchman against Ange Postecoglou in the dugout, with both sides playing in the Premier League after beginning our respective Europa League campaigns.

Erik was asked about the mentality of his side following Wednesday's 1-1 draw with FC Twente and fielded questions on a variety of topics at Carrington, as attention turns to domestic action once more.

From bettering the opposition's hunger to Bruno Fernandes's fitness, read the key quotes from part one of Ten Hag's media briefing below...

THE NEED TO BE CLINICAL

"Not scoring goals enough. That is the problem. That is the key area. We have to score goals as a team. I think across the team, we have the ability to score. That is clear, when you see all the opportunities we are creating, we are not scoring enough."

IT WILL BE DYNAMIC

"I think it will be a very intense game. It is always against Tottenham and I think it is also our style as well. So I think it is going to be a very dynamic, attractive game."

HIGH LEVELS NEEDED

"Every opponent has strengths and weaknesses and Tottenham have their strengths in their philosophy. [That is] very clear. [They are] very attacking but [that] leaves also space. That is what we take into account that can maybe help but you have to be very good against Tottenham. We want to control the game and you need the high performance level. We will create again I am sure but we need to take our chances."

WE NEED TO BE HUNGRY

"I think every team has this in a season. That is when you play 60 games, sure there will be games where you were not happy with the performance, but you are not happy when the opponent wants it more. I think that is the psychology side of football and top football. The team that can manage this the best is the most successful and we are ambitious so we always demand from yourself that you have more hunger than the opponent."

BRUNO WILL PROVE HIMSELF AGAIN

"I think he is capable and he has proven [himself] already so many times in the Premier League. He can create many chances. I am convinced he will not do differently. He will find his form. He is already creating chances but he will make final passes, he will score goals. 100 per cent and it is just a matter of time."

WE HAVE TURNED A CORNER

"I think you have to assess the situation. Still now we are working and we are in progress. We have to sign players and we made the choice to sign very young players. Like last year, Hojlund and Zirkzee and Leny Yoro are players we believe in for this moment but also for the future and we have to build them. When I started we spoke about more, we had to make a switch in the dressing room. We have turned a corner and we have to work with the squad and that takes time and of course, [that is] also not good behaviour for me, I am impatient. I want to go straight forward. To be fair, we have also had success in the last two seasons and we have to work very hard to bring further success."

WHAT’S THE TEAM NEWS?

Erik ten Hag may provide the latest update on his squad when he conducts his pre-match press conference later today (Thursday), which we’ll bring you the first part of from 17:30 BST.

Recent returnee Mason Mount got his first minutes since August’s trip to Brighton during Wednesday’s draw with FC Twente, having been welcomed back from an injury he picked up on the south coast.

Victor Lindelof, Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro all remained sidelined for the midweek outing, although Ten Hag was hopeful earlier this week that Shaw would be involved before the upcoming October international break.

As for Tottenham, the availability picture will likely become clearer after their own Europa League opener against Azerbaijani champions Qarabag tonight, for which they will be without forwards Wilson Odobert and Richarlison due to injury.

Key defender Cristian Romero is suspended for the European tie, while full-backs Sergio Reguilon and Djed Spence are ineligible, but all three could be involved at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Since those words, Manchester United's ranks have been bolstered by the return of Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund.

Both Reds featured in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with FC Twente, our opening fixture of the Europa League, giving Erik further food for thought when he comes to name his starting XI for the visit of Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday (16:30 BST).

After the frustrating result against Twente, the boss discussed his attacking options now that our no.9 is nearing full fitness.

"Of course, they [the forwards] are all main [forwards], but Joshua [Zirkzee] is doing very good," he said.

"He created a very good chance, it was a brilliant shot and a very good stop.

"We are very pleased that Rasmus [Hojlund] is back, of course, and now he has to come up to full fitness, full speed, and he can score a goal, we know that. He’s very good in the box."

In addition to up front, United have four wingers jostling for two positions. Amad and Marcus Rashford started against Twente on Wednesday but on Saturday, at Crystal Palace, it was Alejandro Garnacho who got the nod in place of the latter. Antony started - and scored a penalty - in our 7-0 Carabao Cup success over Barnsley last Tuesday too.

It's worth noting that this luxury was something Ten Hag did not have last term, with injuries causing issues.

In defensive areas, there is also room for rotation. Harry Maguire replaced Matthijs de Ligt in the XI on Wednesday, but the summer arrival from Bayern Munich had started the two Premier League fixtures prior to this Europa League match.

There's much to ponder for Erik, then, and you can have your say too.

Get involved in our United Predictions game to select your starting XI, first scorer, Man of the Match and the result. There are plenty of great prizes up for grabs!

You can predict your XI right up until 15:15 BST on Sunday, when team news is revealed, and you can select the first scorer, Man of the Match and result right up until kick-off.

Play United Predictions now.

The 22-year-old attacker joins from fellow WSL side Tottenham Hotspur, following previous spells with PSG and Valerenga — where Celin secured a domestic double in 2020.

For her country, Celin has represented Norway at all playing levels from under-16, making 21 full international appearances to date.

Celin Bizet:

"I'm very excited to take this next step in my career, and sign for such a great club as Manchester United. I cannot wait to pull on the famous red shirt and create winning moments in front of these wonderful fans."

Marc Skinner:

"Celin is an exciting, talented young player with lots and lots of potential. She suits exactly where we are trying to be as a team — we want young, hungry players, who can make a real difference. Celin is definitely one of those players of absolute quality and we are really looking forward to embedding her into our squad."

Everyone at Manchester United welcomes Celin to the football club and wishes her every success in red.

Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur - English Premier League 29 September 2024 | Manchester United  Man Utd

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