00:00Evening Sharon, I know it was such a quick turnaround to prepare for this game, but how do you think the team responded in the performance of that goal?
00:11Well I thought they put in a performance that should win the match, I think we created a lot of chances, I think there were 30 shots, goal line clearances, disallowed goal for, I'm not sure why, from Martinez fellow.
00:25So if you look at it in that context, in terms of the shots and the domination that we had in the game, we should win the match, so I'm pleased with that, there was lots of good things, it wasn't perfect, I thought we started slow, I thought we improved as the first half went on, and I actually challenged the players at half time, I think they had more levels in them, and I think they produced that at the start of the second half and scored two fantastic goals, so still lots to work on, but I was really pleased with their efforts and how they tried to implement what we'd asked for them,
00:53with very limited time to prepare.
00:56I appreciate it, it's just been the end of the game, but we saw a lot of images of Jason and Irma being here tonight, have you had any conversations yet about whether you were being tried for Sunday?
01:05I have, they've informed me they'd like me to take the team for Sunday, there was a feeling that might have been the case from Monday, but we wanted to focus on Burnley, but I'm tasked with leading the team on Sunday, so all my focus and energy goes to that now.
01:20So, when Brule came off, I know it was well-intentioned and you said just about managing minutes for him, was there any chance he could have played before games, it felt like, given his influence, missing him, Burnley scored quite quickly after it?
01:33Look, it was planned before the game and we discussed it, 45 minutes was mentioned, 60 minutes, and I think we had agreed that 60 was probably a push, I don't want to take Bruno Fernandes off in that game, but that was the plan from the club, from the medical, from the coaches, and Bruno had an injury that we have to respect and it's a long season as well, so it's disappointing, but that was the plan before the game and we knew that was going to happen.
01:59Hi Darren, there's been a lot of talk about maniacal teams that should be a team that takes lots of risks, and you've had 30 shots tonight, 10 on target, how much of that was part of your pre-match message to the players about doing that?
02:11It was, it was about them to be proactive, to attack, you know, to go and highlight themselves, you know, go and showcase what the abilities they have as individuals and as players and be really front foot proactive, exciting, they were the challenges that were put towards them,
02:28and they did that, I think, as I said, it wasn't perfect, but there was lots of good things within that, so I think if we look back on that game, barring probably the start, and then as you said, after we went 2-1 up,
02:42I think the rest of the game is pretty much total domination and creating lots of chances, we're probably looking at it and disappointing we've not scored more goals, because we've got to score more goals when you create that many chances in a match.
02:53Darren, what did you say to him before you went on and how impressed you were playing?
03:00Yeah, I said to him, stay wide and go and do what you do, and he did that, stay wide on the right, I know he's going to make an impact, I know he's creative, he's got goals in him, he's exciting, he's direct, he's fearless, and he hit the crossbar and he had another shot, so he had a really bright game, and you know, I'm pleased for him, because there's a lot of injuries in recent years, and he's not really got going with his momentum,
03:22but we know the talent that he's got, and he'll be a big part of Manchester United's future, I've no doubts about that.
03:29There's been instances this season where the team have not defended quite as solidly as you'd want, and obviously there's been a change in defensive formation tonight, how do you think the team adapted, and is it an ongoing concern really, pre-dating you, that they give goals up easily?
03:49Well, I think you're right, I think it's proved in the season, we give up goals too easily, and I think there is a tactical element when you change from a back, when you used to be playing in a back four and you change to a back five, you know, it is different, it's different challenges, there's more space to cover,
04:02but you defend as a team, so it's not only just the defenders, it starts at the front, midfield, it's the whole team that defends, we attack as a full team and we defend as a full team, so you can't just label the criticism at the defenders, so to speak,
04:16but as a team we need to improve and defend and not concede as many goals, but I think the XG tonight was 0.2, so it wasn't that much for them to actually score two goals, so that's one way of looking at it, but ultimately they have, and we've only got a point.
04:29One of the challenges for whoever gets the job in the short term, to kind of get the players out of this mindset of just making mistakes and letting good situations slip away,
04:44because there's almost a sense of inevitability when you watch the team in the moment that won't quite go the way it should go.
04:50I think you can get in that cycle with a little bit of confidence, yeah, so I think you have to, I think you're right, I think in terms of like, there's a little bit of a feeling that can you see the game out or can you go on and win it,
05:00and that's not deemed to be there yet, and that can only build through time and confidence and actually winning some football games and finding out what it takes to win games,
05:08sometimes you might put in a good performance, but you've got to find a way to win ugly and see out a match, and it might not be pretty,
05:14that may be from keeping the ball, that may be from defending deep as a team, whatever that is,
05:18but the team need to figure out how to put in performances that win them games, and then hopefully from there that confidence can grow.
05:25Hi Darren, the United have dropped points against the bottom seven since the start of November,
05:36what is it about the mindset that in the six of those games, the United have gone in front,
05:41so what is it about the mindset that the club can't get over the line against teams down the bottom?
05:46Well, that's a good question, my experience is only tonight, so my experience that we get 2-1 up,
05:52and then I felt we were a bit passive again, we sat in a little bit, and maybe we should have gone for the kill and gone for the third goal.
06:01It all happened very quickly as well, so I've not had a chance to reflect on that yet,
06:05so that's something that we'll try and look at, but it's a little bit new just now, it's a little bit fresh,
06:11so it's probably going to take a little bit of time to sit back and reflect on the game, watch it back,
06:15and then try and figure out why these things keep happening.
06:17Thanks for your time.
06:19Obviously, he's had a wait for them to go, but we saw his movement tonight,
06:29and the quality of his finishing, and the confidence that he got for that first goal,
06:33but there is a player in there, he's raw, but there is a player in there.
06:37Not for sure, I sat down with him yesterday and showed him videos of his movement, as you said,
06:46and how the opportunities are going to come, he has to just keep believing, keep making the runs,
06:50the rest of the team have to look for him more as well, and like with all strikers,
06:54once you get that first goal, you hit the back of the net, it builds your confidence,
06:58and hopefully they start flooding him from now.
07:01I think everyone can see his qualities, I thought he was fantastic tonight,
07:04I thought he led the line really well, and he maybe could have gone on and had a hat-trick as well,
07:09he had a few other opportunities ahead, there are another snap shot,
07:11so it's a real positive night for him, and definitely probably the biggest positive from the night,
07:16really, is his two goals, and hopefully that's good for Manchester United's future.
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