Eric ten Hag spoke to the media on Friday ahead of Manchester United’s final pre-season game in Australia against Aston Villa in Perth.
Talking from the team hotel in the centre of the most isolated city in the world, he was asked about new signings and said: “We signed [Christian] Eriksen for the midfield, we are really happy with that. I am really happy with the performance of the midfield and offence at this moment. But I also know this season there are a lot of games, the World Cup, so we need more options, we have a good team, we need a good squad to get the right results at the end of the season.”
Several of United’s younger players have impressed on the pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia. Asked about their prospects, Ten Hag replied: “We have a squad here and we don’t have a lot of time - we have to be ready for August 7. The squad here is defined in generations, we have experienced players, but also we wanted to give some young talents the chance, while they deserved it, to be here.
“I cannot give all young players the chances they maybe deserve because we have to construct a team but it is good to have them in, I see them daily in training, so I get a really good impression from them. From there on we can develop them by good plans, that is the idea. Not all youngsters have gained minutes, I have to set priorities, but in future they will play an important role, I think, for building Man United.
“James Garner just integrated in training this week, so I haven’t seen him. I don’t have, let’s say, fully an impression from him, I want to see more. Then I can answer the question and we will make conclusions and decisions. Hannibal Mejbri plays some minutes, he did quite well, in training as well. He gives a good impression but it is also to do with balance in the squad.”
Are those youngsters ready?
“We have to wait, if that’s the case. I think they need some development. We are working day by day on that. It will not come overnight, it will take time, patience, young players. If they show they can have an impact I am the manager who will throw them in.
Ten Hag thinks they have done well but cautions: “I also know the standards of the Premier League and European football are really high. It is about – are they ready to take the responsibility, to play, to contribute? Are they conscious of bad situations? That is what I have to approve. I will take my decisions. They have potential, some players, is quite clear.”
Harry Maguire is United’s captain and he was booed by some of United’s support in the previous game in Melbourne.
“We heard but you see, if you perform, it slows down,” said Ten Hag. “The team and Harry Maguire impressed by the way we play.
"I don’t think it’s the manner to find out if I understand it [the abuse]. It’s about how can we change it. So it’s the team and Harry himself by performing. That is what we’re working on, that is the only focus.”
He is pleased by the way the front players have gelled on the tour.
“You see they connect really good together,” Ten Hag said of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho. “I think when you see that you are lucky as a manager, the team is lucky, we have a threat, we have weapons, and we have to improve that every day, to develop that.”
Cristiano Ronaldo may be added to those names, but Ten Hag had no update on his future. But he replied to a question as to whether he was concerned about shortage of options in attack, saying: “That is a reason, but also the number of games. You need more options in offence.”
So is it vital if the club adds players?
“I think it’s vital if you want to get success, the season is really long. But we also have still time to fill that in.”
Rivals have signed more players. Would Ten Hag like to have signed more?
“It is definitely an advantage we could have,” he said. “But we are not in that situation, then you have to deal with that situation, you have to develop the team with the players you have. That’s what we do. Back in Manchester Eriksen and [Lisandro] Martinez will join in, we have more options, I think they can quite quickly integrate into the team.”
What does he think about the distances United have travelled on tour?
“It is part of nowadays football, you have to accept it as a manager, as a team, you have to take the best out of it, that is what we did,” said Ten Hag.
“I think it’s great for team spirit to be so long together, you can really improve that, develop that, you have a lot of time to work on your team because you are so close together. That is great, I would say. It’s brilliant to be in great cities, Bangkok, Melbourne, Perth. There are disadvantages, it is clear, but you have to deal with certain things that are decided when you don’t have influence on. When you have influence it’s only on the game – that is our focus point.”
A sell-out crowd in Perth awaits United’s match against Villa.
“We have the intention to play brilliant football, only one thing, we have an opponent every time – and they don’t cooperate,” he said with a smile. “So first it’s about our philosophy, we want to play proactive football, attacking football, I know the opponent for tomorrow will be tough – it is great test. In that sense Perth is really lucky."
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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23-man shortlist for next six Hall of Fame inductees
Tony Adams, David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Eric Cantona, Andrew Cole, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Les Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Matt Le Tissier, Michael Owen, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, John Terry, Robin van Persie, Nemanja Vidic, Patrick Viera, Ian Wright.
Pros%20and%20cons%20of%20BNPL
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Brief scores:
Toss: Rajputs, elected to field first
Sindhis 94-6 (10 ov)
Watson 42; Munaf 3-20
Rajputs 96-0 (4 ov)
Shahzad 74 not out
Maestro
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
Company%20Profile
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WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
