A big game demanded a big name to speak at Man United’s pre-match press conference, which Erik ten Hag had control over.
Varane and Ten Hag spoke at Carrington on Wednesday
Cars lined the road leading up to the first team car park at Carrington. In the adjacent Jimmy Murphy Centre, there were three times as many chairs laid out in the press room as there usually are.
Such is the fascination with Manchester United and Barcelona and the scrutiny they generate, the capacity will be significantly reduced for Erik ten Hag’s press conference prior to the League Cup final on Friday.
For United staff, the gathering would have been held in the more spacious No.7 suite at Old Trafford. However, Ten Hag insisted on Carrington and a press conference punctuated by lengthy translations lasted less than 14 minutes.
Ten Hag’s childhood friend Leon ten Voorde told me in April the United manager is a “control freak”. They would cycle to school together and Ten Hag was always late. At United, the players are late at their peril.
When Ten Hag was informed there would be League Cup final media commitments, he asked how soon could they be completed. They were conducted more than two weeks ago.
For those of us who observed Ten Hag at work during the pre-season tour and spent a little time with him, this is typical of his approach. He eschewed post-match press conferences from Bangkok to Perth, via Melbourne.
Sources said at the time Ten Hag has a “laser focus” on football. Previous United managers often gave players the day off after matches. Under Ten Hag, recovery is non-negotiable and starters are always back in at Carrington the morning after a match.
Ten Hag held court with the British and Spanish press at 12pm and United were scheduled to train at 1.30 but the players emerged just before 2pm. However inconvenient it was for staff who had to traipse over to Old Trafford for Barcelona’s media activity in the evening, it was convenient for Ten Hag as he prepares for one of his biggest nights as United manager.
There was some star wattage present in Robin van Persie, stood to the side with his and Ten Hag’s agent Kees Vos. Van Persie returned to United in December as he continues to work on his coaching badges and he was on site again for an interview with Ten Hag on behalf of the broadcasters.
Van Persie headed outside to watch training, where Anthony Martial was put through his paces on a separate pitch but he won’t be available for the Barcelona fixture.
Barca have brought out the best in Old Trafford 24 years apart in the European Cup Winners’ Cup and Champions League. Last week’s humdinger in Camp Nou has only intensified excitement among United fans accustomed to humdrum evenings in the Europa League.
Ten Hag has not lacked for plaudits in overseeing United’s turnaround but was asked if he had earned ample credit. “Definitely. It’s not about credit, it’s about trophies.
“We have the opportunity but the first focus point is always the next game and in that league we can’t win a trophy this week. We have to go from game and game, better focus but especially keep the same mindset and every day we want to give a better version of ourselves.
“When you face a big team like Barcelona you have to play your best otherwise you don’t have a chance. We want to get through to the next round.
“Tomorrow we have to give the best performance of the season. We believe in it, we’re looking forward to it, so it gives us a lot of energy,
“For me, the next game is always the biggest game. I’m not the one, the type, who looks back, I look forward.. I’m excited about tomorrow.
“Two great teams facing each other at Old Trafford, it will be a massive atmosphere, a great ambience. It’s the best you can get.”
Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk
