Inner Man Live

Erik ten Hag had his press conference at Carrington today ahead of the return leg against Fc Sherrif Tarispol in the Europa League on Thursday.

Recall that Sherrif’s manager, Stjepan Tomas resign from his job as the head coach on Tuesday, two days before what could have been the biggest game of his managerial career at Old Trafford.

Erik ten Hag was joined by Christian Eriksen in his press conference where confirmed that Raphael Varane will be out till the world cup and Cristiano Ronaldo will be available for the game at Old Trafford tomorrow.

“Yes, Cristiano [Ronaldo] will be in the squad tomorrow. Rapha Varane isn’t. He will be out until the World Cup. The prognosis is we have to see how it develops.”

Erik ten Hag on his conversation with Cristiano Ronaldo: “It is not difficult. We answered all the questions. He was out for one game and back in the squad now.”

Erik also confirmed that Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan Bissaka and Donny Can de Beek are all back in training for Man Utd.

Erik ten Hag: “They are in training. Harry [Maguire], Donny [van de Beek], and Aaron [Wan-Bissaka] are all training in preparation for tomorrow.”

Erik ten Hag: “He [Maguire] has a role to play. He is on his way back and now has to get back into these games.”

“Erik ten Hag on January transfer plans: “At this moment, we focus on the games. In the background, we also continue and are working on the squad. You always examine how you can improve, that is what we will do.”

Erik ten Hag on resting players before the World Cup: “I think it is the wrong idea. They only have one week and then the World Cup starts. You have to keep the right fitness and the right shape. It is not optimum but that is something the national managers have to deal with.”

Erik ten Hag: “We are Man Utd. We want to have a good relationship, we fight together. Licha [Martinez] always does this. Every challenge, every duel he gives everything he has. The fans love it. You need some players in your team that express that.”

Christian Eriksen opened up on his relationship with Casemiro, other Manchester United players and the coaching staff since his arrival at the club.

Christian Eriksen on Casemiro: “We like playing together. We are still getting to know each other. He is a nice guy. You see on his pitch his value. He has been doing this for years, not surprised he can cope.

Christian Eriksen: “Yeah I do [think #mufc need to improve]. I also have the feeling the fans feel it. You can see the development in the games, there has been a bit of a rising. We are starting to believe it but there are things we can do better. We are on the right path.”

Christian Eriksen: “No, not really [there is no World Cup distraction]. For every footballer, it is the same. We are focused on the next game.”

Christian Eriksen on what has changed: “I think we started, the players, we started believing what we are doing on the pitch. The 1-0 wins gave us a lot of confidence. I think it is a bit of a belief. He wants us to do stuff and we try to do that.”

Christian Eriksen: “I have always played in different positions and get moved around in the game. My thing has always been to be where the ball is. It doesn’t matter.”