Every word from Erik ten Hag press conference part one before Tottenham v Man Utd 19 Aug 23

Erik, good afternoon. First of all, can I get your reaction to the fact that Harry Maguire is not now joining West Ham? From your perspective, what happened to ensure that that deal didn’t go through?
“Well, that process, that’s what I don’t know. Only Harry is a player from us, I’m happy he’s here. So, we need a good squad. We have four good centre-halves, even with Luke Shaw if you count him we have five, and we need that because we’re going to play 50 or 60 games this season. All the players are internationals, so we have a lot of load to cover. So, I’m very happy Harry Maguire is here. He has to fight for his position, as [does] everyone in the squad. So, we construct a squad with the double positions, but we need it.”

When you say he has to fight for his place, realistically, what do you think he can expect in terms of game time? What opportunities will there be for him?
“It’s up to him.”

What does he have to show you?
“He knows what I expect from him.”

Can you expand on that for us and tell us what you expect?
“I think I’m now for one year here. You know what I expect from a centre-half and he can do it. I told you many times before he has the abilities to do it, so now he has to show it. It’s about character, to be convinced to play that role. He has all the abilities to do it, and it’s up to him when the time is there.”

Finally, from me, does that mean as well in this transfer window, you’re not looking to bring in another centre-half because obviously you said the options that you already have here? And do you feel you still need to do business in the window in other positions as well? If so, what is it you feel you need to do before that window shuts?
“Our squad is covered. All the positions are covered. But yeah, of course we are Man United, we are always looking for improvement. When there’s the opportunity, we will strike also in the last two weeks.”