“No, but in this moment, it’s not rotation to see the players and prepare the future, it’s simply to not have injuries. Matta [Matthijs de Ligt] is sick. Harry Maguire did 90 minutes against [Manchester] City and cannot play three days before because in three months he only did 90 minutes one time against City, so we have to rotate him during the week and, today, he is playing. Kobbie Mainoo played, he returned from injury, so I have to think if he’s ready to cope with both games so sometimes I have to play two games at the same moment. Rasmus [Hojlund] played two games, the third game today I think we needed fresh legs. So, we are trying to address everything. I just want to win games because I know that there’s a long-term project and we are focused on that. But I also know that in big clubs you don’t have a lot of time, and you have to win games. So, I have a clear idea of the responsibility I have here but I’m trying to manage this team to not have injuries. If we have injuries, it’s a massive problem in trying to win games and manage all the players so I’m not rotating to see the future. I just want to win games and not have injuries. If we have injuries, it’s a big problem.”
You have mentioned the fans several times and the anxiety. Are you happy with the support you are getting? Do you want anything else from the fans or does it have to come from the players?
“Nothing [from the fans], it’s just from us. I cannot say better things about the fans. What I’m trying to say to the fans is that we understand, I understand as a coach. I understand the moment, I understand the frustration, the disappointment. I understand and we will improve. It will take time. I said the same thing here [in the press conference] after Everton and people were talking about the top four. I know it’s going to be really tough, but I think it’s important for us that, in this side, to say to the supporters that we understand, I understand. They are incredible, the support we have we are doing a season that maybe we cannot see for long years and we know that. The only way to face this is to prepare the next game like we won, you can say that, and then go again and try to win a match. I know it’s just from us, they [the fans] need our help, not the other way around, they [the fans] are doing everything right.”
Is the situation with Marcus in danger of becoming a distraction?
“No, I don’t think so. Not for me, not for the other players, because everybody is there every day during training so they understand and that is the key point. For the media and for the other people, I cannot control that but I’m really focused and they know I’m so clear in my message, everybody in Carrington knows what I’m talking about and what I want from Marcus and everybody else. So, he’s not a distraction for us. Maybe it’s for the media but that is not my concern.”
