Erik ten Hag has conducted his pre-match press conference before Manchester United host Nottingham Forest tomorrow night.
United won the first leg 3-0 and should have one foot in the Wembley final, if they do a professional job at Old Trafford.
It is of course transfer deadline day and Ten Hag was asked for an update on United’s transfer business at the end of a window where we have signed Wout Weghorst and Jack Butland on loan.
Midfielders Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek are long term injury absentees now, and United still look slightly light in attacking areas.
Erik ten Hag press conference before facing Nottingham Forest
“Doing business on deadline day is hard and you cannot make policy on such bad injuries. We have players in the midfield department who can fill the gap,” said Ten Hag when asked about Eriksen’s injury.
“Every player has his own identity and characteristics. Another player will always fill in in a different way but that does not mean you have to be less successful. Eriksen is top quality and is hard to replace.”
When asked about outgoings today, with Anthony Elanga and Brandon Williams named: “Could be, it depends on certain circumstances. It will be likely to be loans, yeah.
“We have a strategy of where we want to go and we are in a good direction, but it has to match our financial frames. We keep consistent to that plan.”
It seems that Elanga, Williams or even Zidane Iqbal could leave the club before the deadline, with Borussia Dortmund keen on the Swede.
Barcelona have also been linked, although it remains to be seen how the protracted summer chase for Frenkie de Jong leaves the relationship between the two clubs.
Facundo Pellistri was also namechecked in the question, but Ten Hag already said last week a decision has been made on his future.
The Uruguayan looks to be staying, and his emergence may well see Elanga allowed to leave as the hours tick down to the deadline.