Erik ten Hag about research into Manchester City: ‘I’m not here to concern myself with that’ | Foreign football

,,They (McTominay and Casemiro, ed.) Will not participate tomorrow. The same goes for Antony. He is also not available for tomorrow. We have to solve it,” said Ten Hag in the press conference. Christian Eriksen, Donny van de Beek and Anthony Martial have been in the rag basket for some time and will also miss the match.

It is not an ideal scenario for Ten Hag, but he knows that Manchester United is obliged to take the full loot. ,,I have to make do with the players that are available. We have a squad with many good players. United must always win their games, no matter who is on the field.”

The duel with Leeds is better known as the ‘Roses derby’. For decades there has been great rivalry between the clubs. Ten Hag, for whom it will be his first time, is aware of the importance of the duel. “It is definitely a big game. It belongs to England and is very important to us. Of course we have Manchester City, Liverpool, but for our fans this match means so much. Our players are aware of that and will know what to do.”

Jesse March was fired as coach at Leeds United on Monday and this may have consequences for the playing style of the current number seventeen of the Premier League. “We have to be aware of that,” the coach admits. “When Marsch was at Leeds, it was clear how they played. Now there is a chance that they will change some things, but it is also possible that they will not We won’t notice it on the pitch until tomorrow, but we need to anticipate that so we know what to do.”

It emerged this week that the Premier League has charged Manchester City with breaching financial rules. In total, there are four different charges, for various offenses dating back to the 2009-2010 season. A serious penalty, such as points deduction or possibly even relegation, is imminent.

For Ten Hag and his team, it is not really a relevant topic at the moment. “I have no opinion. I am not here to deal with financial regulations. I am a football manager, I have to focus on that,” he concludes.

The 53-year-old Dutchman did appear a few minutes late at the press conference. Ten Hag, who usually insists on discipline and being on time, explained that he was late due to a “technical problem” with arranging his visa.

A journalist present asked Ten Hag whether he now has to pay a fine. “No, this is not a fine. I couldn’t help it,” he laughs. “Now you’re trying to make a nice story out of it, but it was a technical problem. If all goes well, everything has been arranged by now.”