Every word: part two of Erik ten Hag’s press conference before Man Utd v Crystal Palace

Hi Erik, on a similar sort of a topic to Hannibal, he only got into the squad because of injuries which was unfortunate, but are some players better in matches than they are in training? Do they show more in competitive games? Him coming in and taking his chance, I would have thought he would have been in the squad earlier, or is that just how it works sometimes that you have to wait, even though you are very good because there are so many good players ahead?
“There are situations where players are just ahead, but it is good that the internal competition is there. Hopefully, it gives other players a push that they have to bring more, they have to add more. He did a great job for the team and he really contributed to our levels in the last two games.”

He seems to have a bit of aggression about his game, a sort of winning attitude. Is that something you maybe miss but would like a little bit more of that aggression?
“I think the approach and attitude from the whole team was different in the last two games.”

Just on that subject there, is it important for you that no matter the name, in the past with Manchester United, the name and the transfer fee looks to have demanded places in the recent past. Does that not matter to you? If these young lads like Alejandro [Garnacho] and [Facundo] Pellistri do the business, they can stay in and is that the message you give them?
“That’s definitely the truth. I don’t look at status, I look to the performance. What the players are bringing. Players have credit but not too long. Every time – let’s say this – you are as a good as your last game. When you don’t bring the performance in a couple of games in a row, then it is possible [that] when you get players in, we can now talk about how they can take over positions. Also on their own account, they have to show it. I am not a manager who has concerns about bringing players in and we have seen from the first two games of the season, as I started Garnacho.”